User:Mr. Ibrahem/Atherosclerosis
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Atherosclerosis is a disease in which the inside of an artery narrows due to the buildup of plaque.[7] Initially, there are generally no symptoms.[1] When severe, it can result in coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, or kidney problems, depending on which arteries are affected.[1] Symptoms, if they occur, generally do not begin until middle age.[3]
Atherosclerosis | |
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Other names | Arteriosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) |
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The progression of atherosclerosis (narrowing exaggerated) | |
Specialty | Cardiology, angiology |
Symptoms | None[1] |
Complications | Coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, kidney problems[1] |
Usual onset | Youth (worsens with age)[2] |
Causes | Unknown[1] |
Risk factors | High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, family history, unhealthy diet[3] |
Prevention | Healthy diet, exercise, not smoking, maintaining a normal weight[4] |
Medication | Statins, blood pressure medication, aspirin[5] |
Frequency | ā100% (>65 years old)[6] |
The exact cause is not known.[1] Risk factors include abnormal cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, family history, and an unhealthy diet.[3] Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood.[7] The narrowing of arteries limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to parts of the body.[7] Diagnosis is based upon a physical exam, electrocardiogram, and exercise stress test, among others.[8]
Prevention is generally by eating a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking, and maintaining a normal weight.[4] Treatment of established disease may include medications to lower cholesterol such as statins, blood pressure medication, or medications that decrease clotting, such as aspirin.[5] A number of procedures may also be carried out such as percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, or carotid endarterectomy.[5]
Atherosclerosis generally starts when a person is young and worsens with age.[2] Almost all people are affected to some degree by the age of 65.[6] It is the number one cause of death and disability in the developed world.[9] Though it was first described in 1575,[10] there is evidence that the condition occurred in people more than 5,000 years ago.[10]