Ask Your Pharmacist – ATHEROSCLEROSIS
A CAPSULAR MOMENT
ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND YOUR HEALTH
By David Bodunde, RPh
Image from H4heart.com
What is Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is a vascular disease in which your artery wall becomes thick due to accumulation of plaque on the inside. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood full of oxygen to your heart and other parts of your body.
Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances found in the blood and over time harden and narrow the arteries. This results in a reduction of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body and may cause serious problems, including a stroke or a heart attack.
Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in the body, including arteries in the heart, brain, arms, legs and pelvis. As a result different diseases may develop based on which arteries are affected.
Coronary artery disease
The Coronary artery supplies blood filled with oxygen to the heart. When plaque build-up leads to total blockage or reduction of blood flow to the heart, it is called coronary heart disease. This can lead to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack.
Peripheral artery disease
When plaque builds up in the major arteries that supply blood to the arms and especially the legs, it can lead to a reduction or blockage of blood flow to the arms, pelvis and legs resulting in severe pain, numbness, and sometimes dangerous infection.
Carotid
This happens when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries, which supply oxygenated blood to your brain. When blood flow to your brain is compromised, it can lead to a stroke and paralysis.
Causes of Atherosclerosis
There are various theories regarding the cause of atherosclerosis. The process is a slow one that starts in childhood and develops faster as you age. It starts with damage to the inner layers of the arteries caused by factors like smoking, high amounts of fats and cholesterol or high blood pressure. The primary culprit is thought to be low density lipoprotein (LDL) or “bad cholesterol” which undergoes a transformation when it comes in contact with free radicals and becomes oxidised LDL. When this oxidised LDL comes in contact with the artery wall a series of reactions involving your body’s immune system takes place resulting in white blood cells (WBC) depositing oxidised cholesterol in the artery wall. The artery becomes inflamed and cholesterol plaque forms a hard cover over the affected area which causes narrowing of the artery wall. Another theory is that atherosclerosis may be caused by an infection of cells of the smooth muscles of the artery.
Treatment of atherosclerosis
Treatment includes lifestyle changes, medications like statins, or surgery.
Making lifestyle changes can often help prevent or treat atherosclerosis and for some people, may be the only treatment needed. These include following a healthy eating plan, losing weight, if you are overweight or obese and quitting smoking, if you smoke.
Medications may help slow or reverse atherosclerosis. The drugs are usually prescribed by a doctor and can help lower your cholesterol, blood pressure, or to prevent clots from forming.
Medical procedures are only recommended in severe cases. Depending on where the problem has occurred, surgery can range from angioplasty, coronary artery by-pass; bypass grafting, or carotid artery surgery.
The goal of these procedures range from relieving symptoms, reducing risk factors in an effort to slow, stop, or reverse the build up of plaque, lower the risk of blood clots forming, widen or bypass clogged arteries or preventing diseases related to atherosclerosis.
To speak with David Bodunde, Rph in person, visit the Manitouwadge Pharmacy, Unit 2, Hallmarket Square in Manitouwadge or call 826.3888
The opinions expressed on OntarioNewsNorth.com and by David Bodunde,Rph are published for educational and informational purposes only, and are not intended as a diagnosis, treatment or as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis and treatment. Please consult a local physician or other health care professional for your specific health care and/or medical needs or concerns.
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