Atherosclerosis is a condition where a person will suffer from plaque build up inside the arteries, which leads to the hardening and narrowing of the arteries. This in turn can end up with the affected person having a stroke or a heart attack if there's a lack of treatment. Those with atherosclerosis must take the appropriate steps for their heart health — dieting and exercising will only help so much. You may even need medications. There are no symptoms in the early stages of atherosclerosis, and the condition can go unnoticed for a long time until something bad happens, such as a heart attack or stroke. The best way to keep atherosclerosis symptoms at bay is to start monitoring your heart health early. Taking prescription medications and managing your diet can help prevent more significant problems in the future and keep your arteries healthy and clear for longer.
Signs and Symptoms of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis symptoms can be hard to spot at first because they do not usually cause problems immediately. Signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis are similar to those of other diseases, so it’s hard to tell if you have atherosclerosis or another condition. It’s important that you know the risk factors for your particular situation to monitor your heart health and avoid atherosclerosis effectively.
Your doctor should be able to tell if you have atherosclerosis symptoms because several tests can detect the condition. The most common sign of atherosclerosis is a heart attack, which is more common in men than women and often happens at 65 years of age or later.
Potential Complications of Atherosclerosis
If atherosclerosis isn’t treated, there are many complications that it can cause. Possible heart attack and stroke are the most commonly associated complications of atherosclerosis, but they are not the only ones. Many other issues, such as high blood pressure, can arise from a buildup of plaque in your arteries, leading to more severe problems later.
Some patients with atherosclerosis progress to a severe stage called end-stage heart disease, which means that their heart becomes weak and they need a heart transplant or bypass surgery. Atherosclerosis symptoms in the cardiovascular system can take anywhere from a few years to more than 20 years to develop. To understand what atherosclerosis is and keep it from worsening, you need to be aware of your symptoms and talk with your doctor about how to manage your condition best.
Getting Treatment for Atherosclerosis
If your atherosclerosis symptoms are mild and the damage isn’t too severe, you can try to avoid the condition entirely through preventative methods. If you suspect your situation may be more serious, you must do something about it. The three main ways of treating atherosclerosis are diet, exercise, and prescription medications. Many patients use these methods to maximize their chances of staying healthy and avoiding heart attacks and strokes.
Managing your diet and exercising can help prevent atherosclerosis symptoms from taking hold in the first place, but you may also need to take medication. These medications have been very effective at keeping plaque in your arteries from building up, so talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe for you to start taking them if you haven’t already.
Atherosclerosis symptoms can be severe if they are ignored. If you have any atherosclerosis symptoms, make sure you do everything you can to keep yourself safe and healthy. Talk with your doctor about your options for treatment and take good care of yourself so that you can live a long life in good health.