Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Atherosclerosis is one of the most serious diseases of the circulatory system, which can lead to serious complications such as heart attack or stroke.One of the key elements of atherosclerosis are atherosclerotic plaques, which accumulate in blood vessels and pose a serious health threat.In this article, we will learn what atherosclerotic plaques are, how they are formed, who is at risk of developing them, and how they can be prevented and treated.
Atherosclerotic plaques are foci of changes in the inner lining of blood vessels, called the endothelium.They arise as a result of a process called arteriosclerosis, which involves the accumulation of fatty deposits, inflammatory cells and other substances in the walls of the vessels.Initially, atherosclerotic plaques are soft and contain a large amount of lipids (fats), but as the process progresses, they become more stable and hard, often surrounded by fibrous tissue.
There are different types of atherosclerotic plaque, including:
Atherosclerotic plaques are dangerous due to several factors.First, they can lead to narrowing of blood vessels, which limits blood flow and may cause organ ischemia.Second, atherosclerotic plaques can rupture, causing blood clots to form and vascular thrombosis.This, in turn, can lead to a heart attack or stroke, which is a serious threat to life.
Anyone can develop atherosclerotic plaques, but there are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of their development.Belong to them:
Atherosclerotic plaque can build up in various places in the body, including:
In the initial stage of atherosclerosis, atherosclerotic plaques often do not cause any symptoms.However, when blood vessels are already significantly narrowed or when plaques rupture, symptoms may appear such as:
Removing atherosclerotic plaques is possible, but requires appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes.Possible treatments include:
Diet plays a key role in managing atherosclerosis and preventing the development of atherosclerotic plaques.A diet rich in fruit, vegetables, whole grain products, fish rich in omega-3 acids and healthy fats such as olive oil is recommended.Limiting your intake of saturated fats and cholesterol is also important.
It is worth remembering that preventing atherosclerosis is crucial.Regular physical activity, a healthy diet, quitting smoking and controlling blood pressure can significantly reduce the risk of developing atherosclerotic plaque and its complications.
If you want to learn more about atherosclerosis and heart health, we recommend reading the following articles:
It is worth investing in heart health because atherosclerosis is one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, which cause many deaths around the world.