Atherosclerotic plaques – why are they dangerous?

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 – what are they and how are they formed?

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.

Types of atherosclerotic plaques

There are different types of atherosclerotic plaque, including:

• Stable plaques that are relatively harmless and rarely rupture, which can lead to complications.
• Unstable plaques, which are more dangerous because they rupture easily and can cause vascular thrombosis, which is the cause of a heart attack or stroke.
• Plaques are associated with the process of vasoconstriction and may lead to organ ischemia.

Atherosclerotic plaques and the risks associated with them

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.

Atherosclerotic plaques – who may suffer from them?what are the risk factors?

Anyone can develop atherosclerotic plaques, but there are certain risk factors that increase the likelihood of their development.Belong to them:

• Cigarette smoking, which is one of the main risk factors for atherosclerosis.
• High blood pressure (hypertension), which puts strain on your blood vessels.
• Incorrect diet high in saturated fats and cholesterol.
• Lack of physical activity, which promotes obesity and atherosclerosis.
• Hereditary predisposition to cardiovascular diseases.

Atherosclerotic plaques – where can they accumulate?

Atherosclerotic plaque can build up in various places in the body, including:

• Coronary vessels that supply the heart and can lead to coronary artery disease.
• cerebral vessels, which increases the risk of stroke.
• Vessels of the lower limbs, which can lead to peripheral arterial disease.
• Renal vessels, which may affect kidney function.

Does the presence of atherosclerotic plaque cause symptoms?

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:

• Chest pain (in case of coronary artery disease).
• Changes in speech, vision or movement (in case of stroke).
• Pain in the legs when walking (in case of peripheral arterial disease).
• Problems with kidney function (in case of advanced renal atherosclerosis).

How to remove atherosclerotic plaques?

Removing atherosclerotic plaques is possible, but requires appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes.Possible treatments include:

• Cholesterol-lowering medications.
• Antiplatelet drugs that prevent blood clots from forming.
• Angioplasty with stent implantation, which can widen narrowed vessels.
• Vascular bypass, which bypasses narrowed parts of vessels.

What should the diet look like for atherosclerotic plaques?

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.

Your suggestions

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.

Recommended articles

If you want to learn more about atherosclerosis and heart health, we recommend reading the following articles:

• “Atherosclerosis – how to avoid and treat it”
• “5 healthy habits that protect your heart”
• “Effective methods of fighting hypertension”

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.