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1. ATHEROSCLEROSIS
DEFINITION
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fatty material collects along
the walls of arteries. This fatty material thickens, hardens (forms
calcium deposits), and may eventually block the arteries.
CAUSES
Atherosclerosis is a common disorder that specifically affects the
medium and large arteries. It occurs when fat, cholesterol, and
other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard
structures called plaques.
IT CAN LEAD TO
• Eventually, the plaques can make the artery narrow and less
flexible, making it harder for blood to flow. If the coronary
arteries become narrow, blood flow to the heart can slow
down or stop. This can cause chest pain (stable angina),
shortness of breath, heart attack, and other symptoms.
• Pieces of plaque can break off and move through the affected
artery to smaller blood vessels, blocking them and causing
tissue damage or death (embolization). This is a common
cause of heart attack and stroke. Blood clots can also form
around a tear (fissure) in the plaque leading to blocked blood
flow. If the clot moves into an artery in the heart, lungs, or
brain, it can cause a stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary
embolism. In some cases, the atherosclerotic plaque is
associated with a weakening of the wall of an artery leading
to an aneurysm.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include:

2. • Diabetes
• Heavy alcohol use
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol levels
• High-fat diet
• Increasing age
• Obesity
• Personal or family history of heart disease
• Smoking
Atherosclerosis can affect many different organ systems, including
the heart, lungs, brain, intestines, kidneys, and limbs (extremities).
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms usually do not occur until blood flow becomes
restricted or blocked.
See the specific condition for more details on symptoms:
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Coronary artery disease
• Kidney disease
• Mesenteric artery ischemia
• Peripheral artery disease
• Renal artery stenosis
• Hypertension
• Stroke (cerebrovascular disease)
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm
EXAMS AND TEST
A health care provider will perform a physical exam and listen to
the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. Atherosclerosis can create a
whooshing or blowing sound ("bruit") over an artery.

3. Tests that may be used to diagnose atherosclerosis or its
complications include:
• Ankle/brachial index (ABI)
• Aortic arteriography (aortic angiography)
• Arteriography
• Cardiac stress testing
• Coronary artery angiography)
• CT scan
• Doppler study
• Extremity arteriography
• Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
• Magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA)
• Mesenteric arteriography
• Pulmonary angiography
• Renal arteriography
TREATMENT
To help prevent atherosclerosis or its complications (such as heart
disease and stroke), make the following lifestyle changes:
• Avoid fatty foods. Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat
and cholesterol. Include several daily servings of fruits and
vegetables. Adding fish to your diet at least twice a week
may be helpful. However, do not eat fried fish.
• Do not drink more than one or two alcoholic drinks a day.
• Exercise regularly for 30 minutes a day if you are not
overweight, and for 60 - 90 minutes a day if you are
overweight.
Get your blood pressure checked every 1 - 2 years, especially if
high blood pressure runs in your family. Have your blood pressure
checked more often if you have high blood pressure, heart disease,
or you have had a stroke. Talk to your doctor about how often you

4. should have yours checked. Specific recommendations depend on
your age and blood pressure readings.
• Everyone should keep their blood pressure below 140/90
mmHg
• If you have diabetes, kidney disease, or have had a stroke or
heart attack, your blood pressure should probably be less than
130/80 mm/Hg. Ask your doctor what your blood pressure
should be.
Have your cholesterol checked and treated if it is high.
See: High cholesterol and triglycerides
• Adults should have their cholesterol checked every 5 years. If
you are being treated for high cholesterol or a family history
of cholesterol problems, you will need to have it checked
more often.
• All adults should keep their LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels
below 130-160 mg/dL.
• If you have diabetes, heart disease, or hardening of the
arteries somewhere else in your body, your LDL cholesterol
should be lower than 100 mg/dL.
A number of surgeries are performed to help prevent the
complications of atherosclerosis. Some of these are:
• Angioplasty and stent - heart - discharge
• Angioplasty and stent placement - peripheral arteries
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
Document Source: http://www.mindheal.org
Mindheal Homeopathy is a leading homeopathic treatment
center in Mumbai, India.