Atherosclerosis, also known as hardening or narrowing of the arteries, may affect blood flow carrying oxygen and nutrients to vital body organs and tissues. As one of the leading causes of coronary artery disease, stroke, chest pain (angina) or blood clots in the bowels, atherosclerosis is caused by a build up of plaque on artery walls. Plaque is caused by high cholesterol, calcium and fibrous tissues.Atherosclerosis typically affects adults in their 30s and 40s. Men are affected more commonly at these ages, though as women reach menopaus, they are just as likely, if not more so, to be affected by the condition. Learning identify signs or symptoms of atherosclerosis may lead to prompt treatment and avoidance of future complications.
Instructions
1. Pay attention to your body. You should know how you feel on a daily basis so can notice when something is not quite right. Often, the damage caused by atherosclerosis is already moderate to severe by the time most individuals pay attention to symptoms.
2. Pay attention to any changes in strength, feeling or sensations in the extremities. Fingers and toes may start to tingle more often, or feet and hands may begin to feel as if they're falling asleep. This may be an indication of reduced blood flow. Often, individuals ignore such feelings if they are not chronic in nature; if tingling or numbness continues for more than a week or two, schedule a visit with your physician to try to determine a cause.
3. Be alert for any chest pain (angina) that occurs either during exercise or at rest. This may be a sign that blood flow to the heart muscle has been compromised. Watch for any signs of cramping in the legs (not associated with exercise) because this can be a sign that blood flow to the legs is affected.
4. Chronic headaches or transient ischemic attacks that involve vessels in the neck and brain may cause brief episodes of confusion or alarm in many individuals. If you or a loved one seems to be experiencing these mini strokes, be seen and evaluated by a physician immediately. Don't try to self-diagnose. If you suffer from headaches that are not relieved by over-the-counter remedies, visit your doctor.
5. Watch your blood pressure. Risks of atherosclerosis increase with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking and a family history of the condition.
Tags: blood flow, blood pressure, chest pain, chest pain angina, high cholesterol, pain angina