How is arteriosclerosis treated?

Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
Updated on September 12, 2024
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To treat arteriosclerosis, we differentiate treatments based on the severity of the condition. For early-stage patients, we emphasize the control of lipids, blood pressure, and blood sugar to potentially slow the progression of arteriosclerosis. For patients who have already suffered damage to target organs, such as cerebral infarction, myocardial infarction, renal artery stenosis, or mesenteric artery stenosis, treatment might significantly rely on medication, and could possibly require the use of stents or even surgical bypass procedures. For the general population, we emphasize primary prevention, which includes a reasonable diet, appropriate exercise, and a balanced mental state to effectively prevent the disease.

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Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
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Arteriosclerosis is divided into several stages.

Arterial atherosclerosis sequentially manifests as three major types: lipid spots and stripes, atheromatous and fibrous atheromatous plaques, and complex lesions. According to the process of its occurrence and development, it can be subdivided into six types. The first type is lipid spots, which are small yellow spots on the arterial intima that gradually develop into the second type, lipid stripes, where some yellow stripes appear on the arterial intima. Then there is the third type, pre-lesional plaque, where more lipid droplets appear extracellularly. The fourth type is the atheromatous plaque, where lipids accumulate excessively and form lipid pools, and the intimal structure will be damaged. The fifth type is the fibrous atheromatous plaque, which is the most characteristic lesion of arterial atherosclerosis. The sixth type is a complex lesion, representing a severe condition.

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Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
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How is arteriosclerosis treated?

The treatment of arteriosclerosis includes general preventive measures, pharmacological treatment interventions, and surgical interventions. General protective measures include reasonable dietary practices, appropriate physical exercise, proper arrangement of work and life, maintaining a pleasant mood, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and controlling some disease-related risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, etc. The main pharmacological treatment focuses on lipid-lowering and antiplatelet medication. For some patients with symptoms of angina pectoris, such as symptoms of target organ damage, treatment may involve dilating the blood vessels. Interventional treatment indications are now relatively broad. For some who are not suitable for interventional procedures, surgical treatments can be considered.

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Written by Cai Li E
Cardiology
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Arteriosclerosis has what manifestations?

Arteriosclerosis symptoms vary depending on the affected organ. Coronary arteriosclerosis primarily manifests as angina, while cerebral arteriosclerosis mainly results in cerebral embolism, potentially causing symptoms such as hemiplegia. Chronic cerebral ischemia can lead to cerebral atrophy and progress to vascular dementia. Aortic arteriosclerosis often displays no specific symptoms. Renal arteriosclerosis can cause refractory hypertension, and if a renal artery thrombosis occurs, it may lead to pain in the kidney area, oliguria, and fever. Chronic kidney ischemia can lead to kidney atrophy and progress to renal failure. Mesenteric arteriosclerosis can cause symptoms like indigestion, decreased intestinal tone, constipation, and abdominal pain. Arteriosclerosis in the limbs, often seen in the lower extremities, can cause symptoms such as coldness in the legs, numbness, and the typical intermittent claudication.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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How to prevent arteriosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a disease related to aging, poor lifestyle habits such as smoking, and metabolic abnormalities such as hyperlipidemia or diabetes. Atherosclerosis can be effectively prevented. To prevent atherosclerosis, the following should be adhered to: First, maintain good lifestyle habits, exercise regularly, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and eat less spicy and greasy foods. Second, control blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar levels. When issues such as elevated blood pressure and lipids arise, it is necessary to use medication under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Early symptoms of arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis often has many symptoms, which mainly depend on the location of the arteriosclerosis. For example, patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis often experience dizziness, headaches, or confusion, If it is coronary arteriosclerosis, it often causes symptoms of chest tightness or shortness of breath in patients, which tend to be more obvious or worsen after activity, If it is lower limb arteriosclerosis, it often causes pain when walking, which can disappear or significantly reduce after rest.