Atherosclerosis
About Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the buildup of material (plaque) inside the blood vessels that leads to narrowing of those vessels. This narrowing results in decreased blood flow to vital organs. If the blood flow is decreased significantly or is blocked completely, the supplied organs can suffer serious damage (heart attack, stroke, etc.). There are many risk factors for developing atherosclerosis. They include diabetes, smoking, high total cholesterol, high blood pressure, inactivity, family history and obesity.Symptoms
There are usually no symptoms until a blood vessel is significantly narrowed. Once narrowing is sufficient to cause symptoms, symptoms are related to the location of the narrowed vessel and the degree of narrowing. Symptoms may include chest pain, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, visual loss, numbness, weakness, difficulty walking/speaking, abdominal pain, diarrhea, leg pain and skin discoloration.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical exam will be performed. Cholesterol screening and certain blood tests are routinely ordered for people with risk factors. Other blood work and imaging studies may be ordered based on your symptoms.Common tests: Carotid ultrasound, Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), EKG, Vascular ultrasound.
OTC sleep aids and supportive treatments
Prescription medications
Conventional treatment summary
There is no cure for atherosclerosis but therapy has been shown to slow and possibly halt the progression of disease. Lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, increasing exercise and eating a healthier diet have been shown to make a difference. Cholesterol lowering medications may be necessary in those individuals with consistently elevated cholesterol levels. If symptoms of a stroke or heart attack develop, seek immediate medical attention.Medical specialties
Internal Medicine · Cardiology · Vascular Surgery · Family Practice · Interventional Cardiology · Vascular and Interventional Radiology · Cardiovascular Surgery
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Atherosclerosis.