Atherosclerosis: meaning, causes, symptoms and treatment

What is the meaning of the term "atherosclerosis"? Let's find out along with its causes, symptoms and how to treat it We often hear about atherosclerosis, and it's no coincidence: according to the most recent data from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità's Heart Project, 7.3 percent of Italians are dealing with angina pectoris, 3.7 percent suffer from claudication intermittens and 3.4 percent from left ventricular hypertrophy, and 2.4 percent have found themselves struggling with a myocardial infarction, all problems of atherosclerotic origin. But what exactly is atherosclerosis? And how is it different from atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis: the meaning

The term atherosclerosis refers to the most common form of atherosclerosis, a condition of loss of elasticity by the wall of the arteries. In the case of atherosclerosis, this loss of elasticity is due to the formation of special thickenings (the atherosclerotic plaques, or atheromas) composed of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances in the bloodstream. By increasing in size, atherosclerotic plaques narrow the inner diameter of the arteries and can significantly restrict blood flow, also increasing the risk of angina, heart attack, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.

Atherosclerosis: the causes

Atherosclerotic plaque formation is a phenomenon associated with aging. However, certain factors can promote its development even in young individuals. Its main cause is the presence of excessively high blood cholesterol concentrations-especially of so-called LDL, Low Density Lipoproteins. In many cases this is due to a diet too rich in saturated or trans fats, but not only that. Sometimes, in fact, underlying it is familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetically based condition that leads precisely to high blood cholesterol levels. In addition, several risk factors can contribute to plaque formation, including:

- diabetes;
- hypertension;
- overweight and obesity;
- an insufficient level of physical activity;
- smoking;
- heredity.

Atherosclerosis: the symptoms

Unfortunately, atherosclerosis does not trigger symptoms until the effect on blood flow becomes significant. As a result, one may become aware of suffering from this problem only at the time it triggers a medical emergency such as heart attack or stroke. In other cases one may realize it earlier from the appearance of chest pain (angina) and shortness of breath triggered by reduced blood flow. In addition, it is possible to find oneself struggling with numbness, pain, and even infection in the arms, legs, and pelvis, where peripheral arteries are located that can be affected by atherosclerosis. Finally, atherosclerotic plaque formation can also be associated with problems in the intestines and kidneys.

Atherosclerosis: the cure

Appropriate tests (such as an angiography) can confirm the presence of atherosclerotic plaques. Once a diagnosis is reached, the physician may deem it appropriate to use a special procedure to widen the arteries at the level of the atheroma to allow blood to flow more freely (angioplasty) or to proceed with surgery to the coronary arteries or carotids affected by atherosclerosis. In less severe situations, medications (statins, acid bile sequestrants, niacin or fibrates) may be prescribed to help control blood cholesterol levels and slow the increase in plaque size. In any case, it is also important to act on lifestyle. In particular, it is good to:

- do not smoke;
- limit the consumption of saturated fats (typical of meats, butter, dairy products, shellfish and eggs), preferring unsaturated fats such as monounsaturated fats from olive oil and Omega-3 fats from fish (the consumption of which can also be increased by taking fish oil supplements);
- avoiding trans fats (found in some margarines, products containing them and some fried foods);
- limiting alcohol consumption (no more than two small glasses of wine - 125 ml each - per day for men and no more than one for women and all adults 65 years of age and older);
- engaging in regular physical activity appropriate to one's ability.

Sources: . HeartData, The Heart Project, National Institute of Health. Period 2008-2012. https://goo.gl/yyMtzU, 4/20/18 . Epicenter. Cholesterol and hypercholesterolemia. https://goo.gl/uhWPGi, 20/04/18 . MedlinePlus. Atherosclerosis. https://goo.gl/GY8xnh, 20/04/18 . MedlinePlus. Cholesterol. https://goo.gl/7QUWGr, 20/04/18 . MedlinePlus. Hardening of the arteries. https://goo.gl/ER6kGK, 20/04/18 . Ministry of Health. Alcohol. https://goo.gl/U3d3P6, 20/04/18 . Project Jellyfish. Your Health. https://goo.gl/G2nSB5, 20/04/18 Image: By Irfansevket2905 [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], from Wikimedia Commons