Coronary atherosclerosis is a condition where arteries become clogged with cholesterol, calcium, and cellular waste, leading to serious and even fatal complications. It can be caused by poor diet, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and genetics. Treatment includes lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery. Prevention involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle and regular checkups.
Coronary atherosclerosis is a medical condition in which a person’s arteries become clogged with cholesterol, calcium, and cellular waste. As the material builds up on the inner lining of arterial blood vessels, it tends to harden and restrict blood flow. An individual with atherosclerosis has a very high risk of developing serious and even fatal complications, including coronary heart disease, angina, heart attacks, and strokes. Problems can result from a number of factors, including poor diet, smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, and inherited genetic tendencies toward heart and artery problems. Many people are able to relieve symptoms by making healthy lifestyle changes and taking cholesterol-lowering medications, although some require surgery to unclog arteries and aid recovery.
The body uses cholesterol to make important hormones, form bile, and solidify cell membranes. Cholesterol is carried through the blood to cellular material throughout the body, but if there is too much cholesterol in the bloodstream, it begins to build up in the arteries and trap other insoluble particles, such as calcium. A thick, hard substance known as plaque will then coat the inner lining of your arteries, narrowing blood flow and increasing the likelihood of dangerous blood clots.
An individual with coronary atherosclerosis may not notice symptoms until dangerous amounts of plaque have built up in their arteries. People with this condition often have difficulty breathing, an irregular heartbeat, and high blood pressure. Left untreated, individuals can suffer from strokes, edema in the extremities, severe chest pains, coronary artery disease, or even complete heart failure. A person experiencing shortness of breath or symptoms of angina should contact a doctor immediately to get a proper diagnosis and start treatment.
Healthcare providers usually check for signs of buildup in the arteries by conducting physical exams, ordering blood tests to determine cholesterol levels, and analyzing echocardiograph scans to look for blockages. If excessive plaque is discovered, they usually suggest changes in diet and exercise routines to promote better health. Your doctor may also prescribe medications to lower your cholesterol and blood pressure. A patient with advanced coronary atherosclerosis may need to undergo surgery, such as an arterial bypass or angioplasty, in which the arteries are widened and cleared of debris.
Preventing this condition and the resulting health problems isn’t always possible, but there are some steps you can take to significantly reduce your risk of developing problems. Individuals can maintain a healthy diet, exercise regularly, avoid smoking, and limit their alcohol intake. It’s especially important for people with family histories of heart problems and those with high blood pressure or diabetes to maintain a healthy lifestyle and schedule regular checkups with a doctor.
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