Atherosclerosis is the thickening or hardening of the arteries. This slow, progressive, worsening disease may start as early as childhood, but can also progress rapidly into adulthood. Atherosclerosis can be prevented by maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.

The exact cause of atherosclerosis is not clear. Meanwhile, it can be traced to the build-up of plaque in the inner lining of an artery which leads to the thickening and stiffening of the artery. Plaques are made up of deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, fibrin, cellular waste products and calcium. The thickening of the artery reduces blood flow and oxygen supply to the vital body organs.

The four stages of atherosclerosis are stage 1 (Endothelial Damage and Immune Response), Stage 2 (Fatty Streak), Stage 3 (Plaque Growth) and Stage 4 (Plaque Rupture).

The risk factors of atherosclerosis are family history, high cholesterol levels, high triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, high saturated fat diet, type 1 diabetes and high C-reactive protein.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis are chest pain, slurred speech, numbness of the arms and legs, temporary loss of vision, high blood pressure, kidney failure, leg cramps and drooping muscles.

The complications of atherosclerosis are stroke, tissue death, chronic kidney disease, heart attack, heart failure, peripheral artery disease, coronary artery disease, carotid artery disease, blood clots and aneurysms.

The Laboratory diagnosis of atherosclerosis is by blood pressure comparison and blood tests (which includes cholesterol, glucose, triglyceride and C-reactive protein tests).

The treatment of atherosclerosis is by lifestyle changes, medication and surgery.

Visit MedBioTech for an accurate laboratory diagnosis of atherosclerosis.

References:
www.clevelandclinic.org
www.hopkinsmedicine.org
www.mayoclinic.org