ATHEROSCLEROSIS THE PHYSICAL SCOURGE OF OUR TIME

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of coronary heart disease and stroke, which were responsible for 602,000 deaths in 2004 — more than 25% of all deaths in the United States.  Each year about 1.2 million Americans are diagnosed with coronary heart disease and about 700,000 people will suffer a stroke. More than 8 million Americans are affected by peripheral arterial disease. For many, “athero” is a silent disease, with no visible signs or symptoms until it suddenly leads to a heart attack or stroke. Its name comes from the Greek words athero (meaning gruel or paste) and sclerosis (hardness). Clogged arteries cut off the flow of blood to the brain and heart and can lead to a heart attack or stroke. While athero is primarily a disease of medium and large arteries, in smaller arteries athero can cause other conditions, like peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and even erectile dysfunction.

There are two types of plaque that can form in the artery walls: Stable plaque has a thick fibrous cap made of smooth muscle cells. As plaque grows, it can reduce blood flow to the brain, heart, or other parts of the body. Unstable plaque is much more dangerous because it has a thin cap. As a result, it may rupture, causing an acute, life-threatening heart attack.  What we can control: Cholesterol--

Too much LDL (bad) cholesterol in your blood can cause a build up of cholesterol in the walls of your arteries and form plaque. Eating a healthy diet and living an active lifestyle can help keep cholesterol in check. Blood Pressure--If your blood pressure is over 120/80-- it is dangerous because it produces increased pressure on artery walls and can damage them. Diabetes--It can cause damage to the lining of the arteries, making it easier for LDL cholesterol to collect in the damaged blood vessels. If you’re overweight or obese, your chance of developing atherosclerosis dramatically increases.

There are several other factors we can control. Working with Your Doctor; if you have one or more of the risk factors above, the first step you should take is to talk with him/her. They can help you chart your risks, and together you can plan what steps you may need to take to start taking care of your arteries. In the meantime, find out what you can do to reduce the risks for coronary heart disease, stroke, and other conditions related to athero. It’s Your Life To Live.