Arterial atherosclerosis, commonly known as atherosclerosis, is a heart condition characterised by the narrowing and stiffening of the arteries. This happens due to the deposition of plaque on artery walls. Arteries carry blood rich in oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the other parts of the body.
Gradually with time, the lipids, including fats, cholesterol and triglycerides or calcium, get deposited in the form of plaque on the wall of the healthy arteries carrying blood, making them harder and narrower than usual. This, in turn, restricts the flow of blood through the arteries to the rest of your body, thus leading to several health complications.
Arterial atherosclerosis is a common age-related issue mostly found associated with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Leaving atherosclerosis untreated will lead to heart attack, heart failure, stroke and other health-related issues.
It is also a cause behind a man’s inability to have an erection. Doctors often prescribe pills like cenforce 100 to treat the situation. However, arterial atherosclerosis can be managed and treated by adopting a healthy lifestyle and a few treatment methods.
Symptoms of arterial atherosclerosis
One may not experience any symptoms at the beginning until their artery is not completely or nearly blocked or until they do not have a heart attack or stroke. However, symptoms may vary depending upon the blockage in which artery: heart or brain.
Some of the commonly seen symptoms of blockage in the artery of the heart that may indicate a heart attack are:
- Chest pain or angina
- Palpitations
- Arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Excessive sweating
- Pain in the jaw, neck, back or shoulders
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pain in the abdomen
Symptoms of blockage in the artery
- Severe headache
- Difficulty in seeing and speaking
- Weakness or numbness in arms, legs or face
- Trouble in control and coordination
- Trouble understanding what others are saying
If you face any of the above-mentioned symptoms and if symptoms persist immediately, call your doctor for help.
However, if the arteries of your arms or legs get blocked, you may feel numbness or weakness in your arms or legs and may feel pain in the legs while walking. In addition, sometimes the arteries that are supplying blood to your penis get blocked, which may cause difficulty in having an erection.
Pills like cenforce 100 are used by men to get back their erections.
Factors that contribute to arterial atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis results from the deposition of plaque on the artery walls, making them harder and narrower and restricting the blood flow. Here are some factors that can contribute to the condition:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
Apart from these causes, several other factors may increase your chances of developing atherosclerosis.
- Heavy alcohol intake
- Lack of physical exercise
- Unhealthy diet
- Stress
Complications associated with arterial atherosclerosis
Untreated atherosclerosis can lead to the following health complications:
- Coronary artery disease. Occurs when plaque is deposited in the coronary artery that supplies blood and oxygen to the heart.
- Carotid artery disease. Occurs when your neck and brain arteries get blocked.
- Peripheral artery disease. Occurs when the arteries supplying blood to your legs, arms, and lower body get blocked.
- Stroke. Occurs when plaque deposition leads to the formation of blood clots. If travelling to the brain, the blood clots can block the arteries supplying oxygen and blood to the brain and leads to stroke.
- Heart attack. Occurs when the arteries of your heart get blocked.
- Atherosclerosis. Often causes difficulty in having an erection which can be overcome with pills like Cenforce 100.
How is arterial atherosclerosis treated?
The blockage can be treated, and the risk of associated complications can be reduced with lifestyle modifications and a few medications, lifestyle changes being the first line of treatment. Additionally, your doctor may also suggest surgery in some severe cases.
Lifestyle changes
Following lifestyle changes will help in preventing plaque deposition and reducing the risk of the health complications associated with it:
- Having a healthy diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol
- Avoiding sugary and processed foods
- Quitting smoking
- Limiting alcohol intake
- Exercising regularly
- Reducing stress
- Managing other risk factors of atherosclerosis like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and obesity
Medications
Your doctor can prescribe the following medicines to prevent atherosclerosis from getting worse and reducing the chances of complications:
- Beta-blockers which improves the heart rate
- Statins and cholesterol-reducing reducing drugs
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which helps in lowering blood pressure
- Antiplatelet drugs like aspirin, which prevents the formation of blood clots
Though a pill like cenforce 100 is safe for impotent men with atherosclerosis. It may interact with medicines used to treat other heart conditions like chest pain and high blood pressure and leads to severe side effects.
Surgery
In case lifestyle changes and medications don’t work; based on your condition, the doctor may carry out any of the following surgeries:
- Angioplasty. This involves the insertion of a catheter with a deflated balloon which gets inflated once the catheter reaches the blockage to keep the artery open. Sometimes a stent is also placed after the angioplasty to prevent the future formation of blockage.
- Bypass surgery. In this, the doctor takes a healthy blood vessel from any other part of the body especially from the legs, arms or chest to create a new path for the blood flow around the blocked area.
- Endarterectomy. This involves the removal of plaque from the arteries of your neck and thus restoring the blood flow.
- Thrombolytic therapy. This therapy helps dissolve the blood clot with the administration of a drug into a blocked artery.
Takeaway
Atherosclerosis is a serious health issue that can restrict your body’s blood supply, leading to chronic health complications. Lifestyle changes along with medications and surgery are found to help prevent atherosclerosis.
James Wallace did his degree in psychology at the University of Edinburgh. He is interested in mental health, wellness, and lifestyle.
