Can we talk about atherosclerosis ?

[patliputra]

What are the causes and how it is formed. Effects of atherosclerosis on heart, vascular system and body as a whole.

[rvmasalvad]

Ageing is an unavoidable process in our lives. As we grow old, the systems in our body undergo changes. Some health conditions start early and grow with age, but may stay undiagnosed for many years. Atherosclerosis, which is caused due to the damage to cardiovascular process, is one of them. In our ageing process, atherosclerosis is the common cause for heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular disease.

Atherosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque build up. Arteries are blood vessels carrying blood from the heart to the entire body. They are lined by a thin layer of cells called the endothelium. The endothelium keeps the inside of arteries toned and smooth, which is essential for proper blood supply.

When this endothelium is damaged, bad cholesterol (LDL) enters the wall of the artery. The white blood cells in the blood stream digest the LDL. The mixture of cells, cholesterol and other substances in blood accumulates and becomes plaque on the arterial wall. This plaque narrows and hardens the artery wall.

This is what i know. Anything more?

[patliputra in reply to rvmasalvad]

Very informative .

[rvmasalvad in reply to patliputra]

thanks.

[Alan8w in reply to patliputra]

With such a "wide question" I was going to suggest to carry out research on the Internet. However I would only like to add that studies point to: "Influence of Alcohol Consumption, Smoking, and Exercise Habits on Blood Lipoprotein Concentrations" as one of the main causes for atherosclerosis. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia may enhance atherosclerosis, while high concentrations of HDL cholesterol have protective functions. Studies from 1940s and 1950s point to " In the Far East and in Central America, where the composition of the diet is largely poor and where many people are living on the border of starvation, the frequency of cardiac infarction is extremely low and the grade of atherosclerosis is likewise low". Studies are showing that diet in the Far East allows for a lower rate of atherosclerosis in the population (less fatty foods, milk and dairy products). The cure is in the life style.