Atherosclerosis
Most of us are aware about heart blockage and heart attack. Most of us have also gone through the process of angiography, and angioplasty (stenting) or heart bypass surgery for ourselves or someone in the family.
Due to ageing and poor lifestyle, plaque is buildup inside the arteries . Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body. This process is called atherosclerosis. As plaque continues to build up in your arteries, you develop disease signs and symptoms.
Stenosis of the arteries of heart cause symptoms of :
- Chest pain.
- Shortness of breath.
- Heart palpitations, anxiety.
- Fatigue, weakness or dizziness.
- Nausea.
- Sweating.
According to a recent study, about 78% of all angiography procedures lead to immediate angioplasty (stenting). The patient or his attendants are left with no time or alternatives to take a fair decision, whether to go for the surgical procedure or to explore other non surgical options. Though many of us are aware of the current situation of misconduct, still we fall prey to the psychological, fear tactics of the Healthcare Facilities, for the sole reason of care, concern & love for our patient, who may be a friend, a family member or a relative.
However,
what most of us do not know is that:
According to one study, up to 63% of such cases of partial coronary artery stenosis and subsequent angioplasty, may be successfully dealt with non surgical options by only lifestyle modifications and medical management of the disease. However, due to the commercial interests of the healthcare facilities and the healthcare professionals, there is little scope of any improvisation of the current practices, or shall we say “Malpractices”.
Also, what most of us do not know is that the stenting is done into the most severely blocked artery and it shall lead to unblocking of only a small segment of the artery where a stent is placed and does not take care of the complete artery or numerous other blockages in other arteries of the heart. Thus we are only offering a temporary solution. The patient, therefore, may still have the signs and symptoms of the disease even after a stenting procedure and problems may arise in other arteries in due course of time.
Also, what most of us do not know is that the process of atherosclerosis is occurring inside all blood vessels across the body, and is not restricted to heart only. Other major implications caused by plaque are Carotid Artery Stenosis , Peripheral Artery Disease and Renal Artery Stenosis. These are not dealt with during a coronary stenting process and lead to disease symptoms.
However, we must understand the process of stenosis or plaque build up before we can form a view about the disease and its seriousness. The following video will give an insight to you about the process of atherosclerosis.
The atherosclerotic disease are primarily categorized as follows in order of the severity of the disease:
1. Coronary Artery Stenosis
2. Carotid Artery Stenosis
3. Renal Artery Stenosis
4. Peripheral Artery Disease
Coronary artery disease is a blockage or narrowing (stenosis) of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. . If not quickly treated, the blockage can cause parts of the heart muscle to die. A severe enough blockage may cause a heart attack and even death. Overall, the coronary arteries are considered as the most susceptible vessels to atherosclerosis in the entire human vasculature and express symptoms as mentioned above.
Carotid artery stenosis is a narrowing of the large arteries on either side of the neck that carry blood to the head, face and brain. Carotid stenosis is caused by a buildup of plaque (atherosclerosis) inside the artery wall that reduces blood flow to the brain. Stenosis can worsen over time to completely block the artery which may lead to stroke. A stroke is often associated with permanent injury of a part of the brain due to loss of its blood supply and can result in severe disability or death. The symptoms of carotid stenosis include:
- Sudden weakness, tingling or numbness in the face, arms, or legs (usually on one side of the body)
- Slurring of speech, trouble speaking or understanding.
- Sudden vision problems in one or both eyes.
- Dizziness.
- Sudden, severe headache.
Renal artery stenosis is the narrowing of one of the renal arteries, most often caused by atherosclerosis. Symptoms of renal artery stenosis are
- Continued high blood pressure (hypertension) despite taking medications.
- Decreased kidney function.
- Fluid retention and Edema (swelling), especially in your ankles and feet.
Peripheral artery disease is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs. When you develop peripheral artery disease (PAD), your extremities, usually your legs, don't receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand. Symptoms of PAD are:
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Limb Claudication
- Hair loss
- Weakness & tiredness
Now, that you know a lot about the disease and its implications, you should take proactive measure to check your status of atherosclerotic disease, especially if you are 40 years and above.