DISCLAIMER: THIS PAGE CONTAINS A GENERAL EDUCATIONAL DISCUSSION ON THE ABOVE TOPIC. IT IS NOT HEALTH ADVICE AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS SUCH. YOU SHOULD NEVER RELY UPON THE INFORMATION GIVEN HERE. YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES MAY WELL REQUIRE AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT APPROACH. YOU SHOULD NOT MAKE ANY CHANGES IN YOUR MEDICATIONS, DIET, ACTIVITY, LIFESTYLE, ETC. WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING A LICENSED PHYSICIAN IN YOUR AREA.
Why do people get arteriosclerosis? That's a very complex question and the complete answer will easily fill a book. There are a variety of things that damage the lining of our blood vessels. These cause the lining of the blood vessel to grow inward and narrow the interior of the vessel. Finally, the blood vessel becomes completely occluded. When this happens to an artery in the heart, the heart muscle fed by that blood vessel dies. This is known as a heart attack. The dead muscle is replaced by scar tissue and this weakens the overall strength of the heart, leading possibly to congestive heart failure, an irregular pulse and death.
"Risk factors" refers to things that are known to damage the lining of our blood vessels or that confer an increased risk of having arteriosclerosis. The more risk factors a person has, the more likely they are to have arteriosclerosis. There is also an element of chance or fate. Some people with many risk factors live a long, healthy life without heart problems while some people with little or no identifiable risk factors have a heart attack at an early age.
Why is it important to identify whether or not a person has risk factors for arteriosclerosis?
BECAUSE SOME RISK FACTORS CAN BE MODIFIED. THIS WILL RESULT IN A LOWER CHANCE OF HEART PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. IF AN INDIVIDUAL ALREADY HAS HEART PROBLEMS, MODIFYING RISK FACTORS WILL SLOW THE PROGRESSION OF THE DISEASE, REDUCE THE FUTURE NEED FOR HOSPITALIZATION AND PROLONG LIFE.
It is never too late or too early to begin modifying risk factors. Elderly patients with established heart disease will slow the progression of their disease and prolong their lives by doing so. Overweight, sedentary children tend to become overweight sedentary adults with high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. It is best to ingrain healthy lifestyle habits as early as possible.
Not all risk factors can be modified. In some people, there is simply a genetic disposition to heart disease and medical science has no solution for this at the present time. However, this is a very active area of research and scientists are learning more every day. Abnormal levels of certain proteins in the blood that reflect the level of inflammtion in the body and the activity of the blood clotting system also seem to confer an increased risk.
A person is generally considered to be at genetic risk for arteriosclerosis if a male family member developed it before the age of 55 years or a female family member before the age of 65 years. Family members developing heart disease in later years does not confer an increased risk.
Diabetes is also a risk factor. It is not modifiable in the sense that we cannot cure diabetes. However, keeping diabetes under good control is beneficial in many ways and may reduce the risk of heart disease. Diabetic patients who do suffer a heart attack do seem to fair better if the diabetes was under good control at the time of the attack.
High blood pressure is another chronic condition that can be controlled but not cured. Keeping high blood pressure under control lowers the risk of strokes, congestive heart failure, and heart attacks.
A woman's risk of arteriosclerosis seems to increase after the onset of menopause and prescription of hormones for post-menopausal women seems to mitigate this risk. They also lower the risk of osteoporosis. However, there is some concern that the use of hormones may increase the risk of cancer. The relative benefits and risks should be discussed with a physician before such therapy is begun.
High levels of cholesterol and fat (triglycerides) are a strong risk factor for arteriosclerosis. This applies to women and elderly members of the population as well as young and middle aged men. Numerous studies have shown that lowering high cholesterol and triglyceride levels by dietary modification or medication significantly decreases the risk of a future heart attack and death.
Smoking places an individual at very high risk for many serious health problems including arteriosclerosis. Smoking cessation will reduce the risks of having a heart attack as well as the risk of chronic lung disease and cancer.
Obesity is yet another modifiable risk factor for heart disease. Consultation with a physician should be sought to determine a safe and effective diet and exercise program to help lose weight. Losing weight is not an all or nothing thing. Whatever you lose will be beneficial to your health, even if you're not ready to pose for the cover of Vogue.
People who lead a sedentary lifestyle have an increased risk of heart disease compared to more active people, especially those who exercise regularly. Checking with a physician before beginning an exercise program is particularly important for people over the age of 40 or for people with known or suspected heart disease.
Cocaine use is a leading cause for heart attacks in young people and needless to say, should be strongly discouraged.
Scientists have recently learned that high levels of a chemical, homocysteine, in the blood is associated with an elevated risk of heart disease. Treatment with certain specific vitamins can lower the level and may reduce the future risk of arteriosclerosis. To learn more about this, ask your physician.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. It is hoped that we can reduce this threat by making the public aware of the risk factors for heart disease and the steps they can take to lower their risk.
Assess your risk of having heart disease. See Warning Signs from the American Heart Association or the Coronary Risk Assessment from the International Task Force for Prevention of Coronary Disease.
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