Atherosclerosis is generally a disease of older adults, mainly because of the ultimate structure of deposits and wear on arteries. This process can be accelerated in persons with uncontrolled risk factors and may also be that younger adults.
Atherosclerosis of the arterial blood supply to the lower limbs can lead to a blockage of blood vessels, called peripheral arterial disease or PAD. Blood supply for the segment supplied by that artery is interrupted. This can lead to cutting off the supply of nutrients to the area. If infection sets in, the area is already dead, would be amputated to prevent infection from spreading to other parts of the body. Otherwise the life of the patient be in jeopardy.
In PAD, a doctor can perform a simple test for ankle brachia index which is obtained by measuring blood pressure in the ankle and forearm. If the ankle brachia index is less than 0.9, it would imply that there is significant peripheral vascular disease.
Atherosclerosis may be silent in the early and milder stage of disease. It may be no symptoms until the degree of narrowing of the blood vessels when a critical point. Blood vessels throughout the body and signs of atherosclerosis depends on where the veins are hardest hit.
The main signs of atherothrombosis include symptoms of poor circulation in legs, leg pain when walking a certain distance, bluish discoloration of the toes, etc., poor circulation to the heart chest pain on exertion, shortness of breath, etc., and poor circulation to the brain transient or permanent stroke symptoms such as sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the body, problems with speech, unsteadiness, etc.. All these symptoms can be gradual, intermittent, sudden in occurrence.
Treatment is by control of the modifiable risk factors as high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, and by taking medication to prevent progression of blockages in blood vessels.
The best way to protect themselves from atherosclerosis is through a healthy lifestyle.
Regular physical activity of moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes for most days of the week is recommended. Besides the beneficial effects on blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol, it is clear that regular exercise also reduces the stickiness of blood.
Heavy alcohol intake is always associated with increased risk of stroke and heart attack. It is recommended that those who drink much should cut down the amount of drinking water for more than two servings per day.
Any amount of smoking may increase the risk of having a stroke and heart attack by 2 or 3 times. Smoking is also directly associated with disease of the blood vessels in the legs. This disease can affect blood circulation in the lower limbs. It takes approximately 2 to 4 years after smoking cessation before the risk goes down to that of a person who never smoked. The goal is to stop smoking. Not even a couple of sticks of cigarettes a day is acceptable.
A high fiber and low cholesterol diet is highly recommended because it is an advantage in reducing blood pressure, cholesterol and obesity.
No comments:
Post a Comment