Arteriosclerosis is a disease

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on November 22, 2024
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Arteriosclerosis is a disease characterized by thickening of the arterial wall and narrowing of the arterial lumen due to plaque formation, leading to various problems. As for whether arteriosclerosis can be prevented and treated, the answer is definitely yes. This can be achieved by maintaining good lifestyle habits. Regular exercise, quitting smoking, and controlling blood pressure and blood sugar with medications under a doctor’s guidance, as well as appropriate use of statin medications, can effectively prevent and treat the onset, progression, and worsening of arteriosclerosis.

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What medicine is used for arteriosclerosis?

Commonly, some medications used to adjust blood lipids are employed, primarily to lower low-density lipoprotein levels, and some are also aimed at achieving target levels for triglycerides. These include statins, fibrates, and niacin. For some patients, antiplatelet drugs might be necessary to prevent acute thrombus formation and avoid acute incidents. For those who have already formed a thrombus, thrombolytic drugs can be used within a certain time window for some patients. For patients with coronary artery accumulation leading to angina, vasodilators, receptor blockers, or calcium channel antagonists might be used to alleviate the symptoms of angina.

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How long can one live with arteriosclerosis?

Arteriosclerosis has a certain impact on survival and longevity, but it is not an absolute determinant. People with mild arteriosclerosis have fewer sudden incidents of cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction, thus they may have a longer survival period. However, if arteriosclerosis leads to myocardial infarction or cerebral infarction, it will also affect their lifespan, but there is no absolute conclusion.

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Causes of Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis, the most common and important type of arteriosclerosis, is characterized by thickening and hardening of the arterial walls, loss of elasticity, and narrowing of the lumen. The causes are currently considered to be related to several factors, including age and gender, with older males being more prone. Patients with abnormal blood lipids, hypertension, smokers, those with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, obese patients, and those with a family history are all more likely to develop arteriosclerosis. Due to the incomplete certainty of the causes, its prevention and control are also managed through multiple factors.

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The earliest lesions of arteriosclerosis

The earliest lesion of atherosclerosis is the formation of lipid spots and streaks. The so-called lipid spots are small yellow dots that appear on the arterial intima. Under pathological observation, these are small areas of macrophages containing lipid droplets, forming a cluster of foam cells. As this small yellow dot develops, it gradually turns into a yellow streak made up of layers of macrophages containing lipids. The intima also comprises smooth muscle cells and lipids, as well as an infiltration of T cells, resembling a yellow streak on the intima.

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What tests are used for arteriosclerosis?

If arteriosclerosis is in the early stages, we need to understand the situation with lipids and blood sugar, so lipid and blood glucose tests should be done. Later on, when some atheromatous plaques appear, examinations such as color Doppler ultrasound and cardiac echocardiography can be done to assess blood flow and the degree of narrowing in the vessels. For some severe narrowings, consider conducting a CTA, MRI, or angiography, which can non-invasively understand the lesions of arteriosclerosis. For some patients, if there is a need for interventional treatment, invasive, selective arterial angiography can be performed to understand the condition of the lesions. Therefore, different tests can be chosen at different stages.