Table of Contents
What is Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is a degenerative disease of the large and medium-sized arteries, in which there is a focal thickening of the inner side of the blood vessel and accumulation of fat, as well as the growth of collagen-like connective tissue. Atherosclerotic plaques contain mainly cholesterol. The thickening of the walls of the arteries together with these plaques causes a narrowing of the lumen of the arteries and ischemia of the relevant organs (the blood circulation of the affected organ is disturbed).
Atherosclerosis is most often localized in the aorta, coronary arteries, arteries of the brain, kidneys and limbs. It is one of the most common diseases of the cardiovascular system and can be compared to an epidemic that engulfed civilized countries in the XX and XXI century.
Main risk factors
The causes of atherosclerosis are not fully understood, but the so-called risk factors that predispose to early and severe atherosclerosis are important. They are divided into metabolic (related to metabolism), endogenous (arising from the body) and exogenous, also called external factors.
Metabolic risk factors
Increased blood lipids (hyperlipidemia) are considered to be the main metabolic factor. The higher the content of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, the more frequent and severe the damage to the blood vessel. Undoubtedly, one of the main reasons for the increased amount of lipids in the blood is the increased consumption of foods rich in saturated fats and carbohydrates. According to a number of experts, the optimal values of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood are:
- total cholesterol – up to 5.2 mmol / l
- LDL – up to 2.6 mmol / l, HDL over 1.0 mmol /
- ltriglycerides – up to 1.7 mmol / l
Excessive levels of total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides in the blood, as well as low levels of HDL-cholesterol increase the risk of atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels and the development of cardiovascular disease. The more “good” cholesterol, the less likely you are to develop atherosclerosis. Other potential metabolic factors include: diabetes mellitus, liver and gonadal diseases, obesity and gout.
Endogenous risk factors
One of the most important endogenous factors is gender. It has been found that women develop atherosclerosis later than men, due to the protective role of female sex hormones – estrogen (before menopause – 45-60 years, cholesterol levels in women are lower than in women). men of the same age.After menopause the values increase).
Another factor is age – it has been shown that with age, atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels increase. Hereditary predisposition is also a very strong endogenous factor, as people whose parents and close relatives suffer from arterial sclerosis are at greater risk of the disease.
Exogenous risk factors
The most numerous and diverse are the exogenous factors that are related to lifestyle. But most importantly, they are preventable.
- Smoking – causes hardening of the arterial walls, increases cholesterol and helps to facilitate blood clotting. The nicotine found in cigarette smoke raises blood pressure values and thus further damages blood vessels.
- Alcohol abuse – regular consumption of large amounts of alcohol disrupts fat metabolism, damages the walls of blood vessels, speeds up heart rate and raises blood pressure, which increases the risk of sclerosis of blood vessels.
- Decreased physical activity – low physical activity leads to overweight and obesity, high blood pressure and elevated blood fat levels.
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Psycho-emotional tension (stress) – stress raises blood pressure and blood sugar, which further damages blood vessels.
- Medication – Prolonged use of corticosteroids, diuretics and oral contraceptives leads to an increase in blood cholesterol levels, respectively to atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels.
Atherosclerosis is a pathological condition that usually occurs after the age of 50. But a number of studies show that it can also affect younger people, because its “foundations” are laid in adolescence.
Typical symptoms
Depending on the location of atherosclerotic changes differ: atherosclerosis of the heart, brain, thoracic and abdominal aorta, lower extremities and kidneys, with symptoms characteristic of each of them: pain behind the sternum, often provoked by physical and emotional stress, shortness of breath, palpitations, general weakness, dizziness, tinnitus, headache, muscle aches when walking, skin ulcers, hypertension, and as the disease progresses, renal failure may occur.
Prevention helps
The best way to avoid the effects of atherosclerosis is to prevent it. Given the fact that Bulgaria ranks among the countries with the highest mortality in Europe due to atherosclerotic damage to the heart and brain vessels, it is extremely important to pay special attention to proper lifestyle, healthy eating, increased physical activity and failure. of all kinds of harmful habits, the most common of which are smoking and alcohol abuse.
Of particular concern is the fact that men in our country have the highest increase in cardiovascular mortality worldwide. In addition, most people get a heart attack or stroke in a state of “complete health”, which immediately requires serious attention to these problems. The motor regime with optimal physical activity, consistent with the functional state of the cardiovascular system, as well as the elimination of neuropsychiatric stress are of paramount importance for the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Another paramount factor is the consumption of foods that significantly reduce the potential risk of vascular sclerosis.
Here is a sample list:
- Fruits (fresh and dried) and vegetables (especially leafy greens, as well as onions, garlic), in an amount of not less than 400-500 g per day. It is important because they are rich in substances with antioxidant action, which prevent the occurrence of atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels (vitamins A, C, E, selenium, zinc and other bioactive substances).
- Fish (mackerel, salmon, herring, tuna) – an absolute must at least once a week because fish fats are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which prevent blood clots and significantly slow down the growth of atherosclerotic plaques.
- Whole grains and legumes (beans, peas), rich in fiber, which significantly reduce the level of total cholesterol in the blood.
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Olive oil, unrefined oils (sunflower, corn, soybeans), various types of nuts, sunflower seeds, flax, pumpkin, containing unsaturated fatty acids that reduce cholesterol.
- It would be good to have wheat germ, honey, algae in your menu.
- It is advisable to avoid foods that increase the level of “bad” cholesterol due to its content of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol, for example: fatty meats, sausages, high-fat dairy products, refined cereals, egg yolk, liver.
- It is also a good idea to avoid consuming margarine, which contains trans fatty acids that raise cholesterol levels to the same extent as saturated fatty acids.
- For heat treatment of food, use only vegetable fats for cooking, avoid frying as an alternative treatment and rely on steam cooking.
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Do not forget to provide enough fluids for the body (not less than 2-3 liters per day), but also especially useful is a glass of red wine, which will not only pamper your senses, will also stimulate the formation of “good “cholesterol.
Did you know that…
- Consumption of foods rich in fiber has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular attack. A study conducted in 1996 involved men who ate 28 g of fiber a day, and the result was clear – reduced cholesterol levels, respectively, reduced potential risk of heart attack and stroke.
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The best and especially important foods for the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system are brewer’s yeast, garlic, ginger, green tea, oats, onions, prunes, soy and red wine.
Some useful tips for Atherosclerosis
- Quit smoking. Reduce alcohol consumption.
- Get at least one hour a day.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce psycho-emotional stress – build a positive attitude towards people, avoid conflicts both at home and at work.
- Create your hobby, relax more often, listen to good music and enjoy your company of friends.
- In the presence of a disease state of the body – maintain normal blood pressure, periodically measure blood sugar levels, and if elevated cholesterol levels are found, try to return it to normal within time.
