Arteriosclerosis/Atherosclerosis – Symptoms and Causes

Understanding Artery Diseases

Arteriosclerosis refers to the hardening of arteries throughout the body. As we age, these blood vessels that transport oxygen and nutrients from the heart become less flexible and more rigid.

Healthy arteries should be elastic and flexible, but this condition causes them to stiffen over time.

Atherosclerosis is a specific form of arteriosclerosis. It occurs when fats, cholesterol, and other substances build up on artery walls, creating what doctors call plaque. This plaque narrows arteries and restricts blood flow to organs and tissues.

In some cases, the plaque can rupture, causing blood clots to form.

Key differences:

• Arteriosclerosis: General hardening of the arteries.
• Atherosclerosis: A specific condition involving plaque buildup.

While many people associate atherosclerosis with heart problems, it can affect arteries anywhere in the body. The good news is that atherosclerosis can be treated, and healthy lifestyle choices play an important role in prevention.

Signs of Artery Problems

Mild artery narrowing often causes no noticeable problems. You might not feel anything until your arteries become significantly blocked and can’t deliver enough blood to your body parts.

Sometimes blood clots form, which may break apart and cause serious health events.

The way symptoms show up depends on which arteries have narrowing:

• Heart arteries: You might feel chest pain or pressure (angina)

• Brain arteries: You could experience:
  • Sudden arm or leg weakness
  • Speaking difficulties
  • Slurred speech
  • Temporary vision loss in one eye
  • Drooping facial muscles
    • These are warning signs of a TIA (mini-stroke), which can lead to a full stroke if not treated.

• Arm and leg arteries: You may feel leg pain while walking (claudication) or have lower blood pressure in the affected limb.

• Kidney arteries: This can cause high blood pressure and kidney failure.

When to Get Medical Help

Visit your doctor if you think you have artery problems. Finding and treating the condition early can prevent it from worsening and help avoid serious complications.

Seek emergency care right away if you experience chest pain or these warning signs of a possible stroke:

• Sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs
• Trouble speaking
• Slurred speech
• Sudden vision loss in one eye
• Facial drooping

Quick treatment can save your life and prevent permanent damage to your heart or brain.

Causes

Atherosclerosis develops gradually, potentially starting in childhood. While the exact origin remains unclear, it typically begins with damage to an artery’s inner layer.

Several factors can harm artery walls:

• High blood pressure
• Elevated cholesterol levels
• High triglycerides (blood fats)
• Tobacco use
• Diabetes
• Insulin resistance
• Obesity
• Inflammation (from various sources, including arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or inflammatory bowel disease)

When artery walls become damaged, blood cells and other substances collect at the injury site. These materials accumulate in the inner lining of the blood vessel.

As time passes, fats, cholesterol, and other substances build up on and within the artery walls. This buildup, known as plaque, causes arteries to narrow.

Narrowed arteries restrict blood flow to vital organs and tissues. In some cases, plaque can rupture suddenly, forming dangerous blood clots.

Risk Factors

Some risk factors for atherosclerosis cannot be changed:

• Getting older increases risk
• Family history of early heart or stroke problems
• Genetic changes that make you more likely to develop the condition
• Inflammatory diseases like lupus, psoriasis, or inflammatory bowel disease

Other risk factors can be managed:

• Poor diet choices
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Lack of physical activity
• Obesity
• Sleep apnea
• Tobacco use including smoking

Health Problems

Atherosclerosis can cause different health issues based on which arteries are affected. These problems vary depending on where the narrowing or blockage occurs.

• Heart Problems: When atherosclerosis affects arteries near the heart, it can lead to coronary artery disease. People may feel chest pain, have a heart attack, or develop heart failure.
• Brain Problems: Narrowed arteries near the brain cause carotid artery disease. This can result in a temporary loss of brain function (TIA) or a stroke.
• Limb Problems: Atherosclerosis in arm or leg arteries is called peripheral artery disease. This reduces blood flow to these areas, causing pain and difficulty walking. In rare cases, severe lack of blood can cause tissue death (gangrene).
• Artery Bulges: Sometimes atherosclerosis creates a bulge (aneurysm) in an artery wall. These can form anywhere in the body and often cause no symptoms. However, if an aneurysm bursts, it can cause dangerous internal bleeding.
• Kidney Problems: When arteries leading to the kidneys narrow, the kidneys don’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. This affects their ability to filter waste and remove extra fluid from the body, leading to kidney disease.

How to Prevent Artery Disease

To keep your arteries healthy:

• Avoid tobacco completely
• Eat healthy foods that support heart health
• Exercise regularly to maintain good circulation
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Monitor and control your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels