Hardening of the Arteries

Hardening of the arteries, also referred to as atherosclerosis, is caused by the accumulation of plaque inside the arteries. A plaque is a hard structure formed due to the deposition of fat, cholesterol, and other substances. This plaque buildup thickens the walls of the arteries.

As a result, very little space is left for the blood to flow. The narrowing of the lumen (space inside the artery where blood flows freely) leads to obstruction in blood flow which in turn may lead to increased risk of heart attack, stroke, or dementia.

• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise
• High blood pressure
• Excessive smoking
• Aging

• Hormonal imbalance
• High LDL (bad cholesterol) levels
• Genetic factors, family history, etc.
• Wrong diet: Excessive consumption of saturated fat in daily diet and inadequate consumption of fruits, vegetables, or low fat healthy foods.

Males are more prone to atherosclerosis than women. Women are more susceptible to this disorder after menopause.

Atherosclerosis symptoms vary according to the location of the arteries hardened. In the early stage, usually, no symptoms are noticed. In extreme cases, sudden cardiac arrest can be the first symptom.

• High blood pressure can be a symptom of kidney dysfunction caused due to inadequate blood supply to kidneys.

• When arteries supplying blood to the heart are blocked, chest pain, angina, sweating, and shortness of breath may be noticed.
• Hardening of arteries in the brain or near the brain can lead to stroke, which in turn may result in dementia. This condition may occur in people belonging to the age group of 55-75.

• Numbness, weakness, loss of speech, difficulty in swallowing, affected vision or complete blindness, and paralysis of a part of the body (usually one-half of the body) indicate that some of the arteries that supply blood to the brain have lost their elasticity and have become hard. 

Carotid artery atherosclerosis usually results in stroke symptoms like loss of balance, difficulty in movement of limbs, dizziness, severe headache, confusion, etc.

• Even the arteries in the legs may become hard, and may lead to peripheral artery disease. Leg pain and weakness while walking, loss of balance, color changes in the skin of the limbs, etc., can be experienced. Wounds on the limbs may take longer time to heal. In extreme cases, gangrenous changes may be noticed.

A balanced and healthy diet plays an important role in prevention of this condition. Overweight people should follow a low-calorie diet to lose weight. Low-fat, low-cholesterol diet helps maintain the health and strength of the arteries. A low-salt diet helps maintain normal blood pressure.

Not only a healthy diet, but also a healthy lifestyle helps avoid atherosclerosis. Regularly performed simple cardiovascular exercises help prevent accumulation of plaque in the arteries. Simple stress management techniques like 'meditation', 'laughter yoga' can help prevent hormonal imbalance.

Avoiding smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol, getting adequate rest, avoiding late-night heavy dinners, following a balanced diet, and increasing physical activity can help avoid atherosclerosis and other diseases too.

Undergoing regular checkup helps detect disorders in early stages. Controlling the diseases detected in early stages is comparatively easier. Tests such as magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA) and CT angiography can be performed to find out which arteries are blocked.

Angioplasty can be performed in case of blockage of arteries in the heart. Atherosclerosis cannot be reversed; however, lifestyle changes and treating high-cholesterol levels can prevent it from becoming worse.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.