Atherosclerosis
Deposits of cholesterol and other substances can form in the wall of your arteries.
The formation of these plaques is called atherosclerosis.
Deposits of cholesterol and other substances can form in the wall of your arteries.
The formation of these plaques is called atherosclerosis.
Deposits of cholesterol and other substances can form in the wall of your arteries.
Arteries are the blood vessels that transport the blood to your tissues.
These deposits are called plaques.
The formation of plaques in your arteries is called atherosclerosis.
Plaques are gradually narrowing the arteries.
In this way the plaques can reduce the blood flow to the tissues.
So the transport of oxygen-rich blood is reduced.
Oxygen is an important fuel for the cells in our body. Its like the fuel for an engine.
With less fuel the engine is not running properly.
Less oxygen to the tissues of our body means dysfunctioning of these tissues.
When the tissues get too little oxygen we call them ischemic.
Symptoms of ischemia are pain and dysfunction.
The plaque can suddenly rupture.
The substances from the plaque then come into direct contact with the blood.
In response to this, the blood begins to clot.
The clot closes the blood vessel immediately.
Your tissues are not getting enough oxygen and immediately begin to lose their function.
Dependent on the amount of tissue that loses its function you can be in minor or major problems.
Atherosclerosis can occur in the arteries of various organs.
The effect on your heart, brain and legs is discussed.
When your heart is involved you can experience angina.
This is chest pain during excercise or in rest.
In a heart attack, there is a sudden blockage of an artery.
There can be severe pain and a major dysfunction of your heart.
When the arteries of your brain are involved you can experience a TIA.
TIA stands for Transient Ischemic Attack, also called a ministroke.
During a short period of time there can be paralysis of speech, vision or movement of the body.
A TIA is often a precursor to a cerebral infarction with major paralysis.
An example of peripheral artery disease is claudication.
The arteris of your legs can be involved.
While walking, the blood supply to the leg is insufficient.
You have pain in your leg. This is called claudication.
So you walk shorter distances or have to rest to let the pain go away.
A heart attack, stroke and claudication are all symptoms of one and the same disease: atherosclerosis.
Food plays an important role in the prevention this disease.