Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis | |
---|---|
Blood vessel-plaque and cholesterol | |
Specialty | Pathology |
Symptoms | Sudden weakness[1] |
Causes | Smoking, High blood pressure[1] |
Diagnostic method | Blood test, EKG[1] |
Treatment | Treatment of underlying condition[2] |
Arteriosclerosis, literally meaning "hardening of the arteries", is an umbrella term for a
Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke, with multiple genetic and environmental contributions. Genetic-epidemiologic studies have identified a long list of genetic and non-genetic risk factors for CAD. However, such studies indicate that family history is the most significant independent risk factor.[citation needed]
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of arteriosclerosis depend on the vessel affected by the disease. If affecting cerebral or ophthalmic vessels, as in
Pathophysiology
The
- Arteriolosclerosis, unlike atherosclerosis, is a sclerosis that only affects small arteries and arterioles, which carry nutrients and blood to the cells.[7]
- Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of arteries from a buildup of plaque, usually made up of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin, inside the arteries. This affects large and medium-sized arteries; however, its positioning varies person to person.[8]
- Monckeberg's arteriosclerosis or medial calcific sclerosis is seen mostly in the elderly, commonly in arteries of the extremities.[9]
- Hyperplastic: Hyperplastic arteriosclerosis refers to the type of arteriosclerosis that affects large and medium-sized arteries.[10]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of an individual suspected of having arteriosclerosis can be based on a
Treatment
Treatment is often in the form of preventive measures of prophylaxis. Medical therapy is often prescribed to help prevent arteriosclerosis for underlying conditions, such as medications for the treatment of high cholesterol (e.g.,
There are a variety of types of surgery:
- Angioplasty and stent placement: A catheter is first inserted into the blocked or narrowed part of the artery, followed by a second one with a deflated balloon that is passed through the catheter into the narrowed area. The balloon is then inflated, pushing the deposits back against the arterial walls, and then a mesh tube is usually left behind to prevent the artery from retightening.[12]
- Coronary artery bypass surgery: This surgery creates a new pathway for blood to flow to the heart. The surgeon attaches a healthy piece of vein to the coronary artery, just above and below the blockage to allow bypass.[13]
- Endarterectomy: This is the general procedure for the surgical removal of plaque from the artery that has become narrowed or blocked.[14]
- Thrombolytic therapy: This is a treatment used to break up masses of plaque inside the arteries via intravenous clot-dissolving medicine.[15]
Epidemiology
In 2008, the US had an estimate of 16 million atherosclerotic
History
The diagnostics and clinical implications of this disease were not recognized until the 20th century. Many cases have been observed and recorded, and Jean Lobstein coined the term arteriosclerosis while he was analyzing the composition of calcified arterial lesions.[17]
The name "arteriosclerosis" is derived the Greek words ἀρτηρία (artēría, artery) and σκληρωτικός (sklērōtikós, hardened).[18]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "How Is Atherosclerosis Diagnosed? - NHLBI, NIH". www.nhlbi.nih.gov. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
- ^ a b "ACE inhibitors". MedlinePlus.
- PMID 23442239.
- ^ "arteriosclerosis" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary
- ISBN 9781605479682.
- PMID 19110086.
- ISBN 9783662062876.
- ^ "Atherosclerosis". MedlinePlus.
- ISBN 9789350902660.
- ^ "hyperplastic arteriosclerosis". Retrieved 2015-06-19.
- ^ "hyaline arteriolosclerosis". Retrieved 2015-06-19.
- ^ "Angioplasty". MedlinePlus.
- ^ "Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery". MedlinePlus.
- ^ "Atherosclerosis -Treatment". UK NHS. Retrieved 21 November 2013.
- ^ MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Thrombolytic therapy
- ^ "Atherosclerosis". Merck Manuals. Retrieved 13 February 2015.
- S2CID 10899998.
- ISBN 9780323293174. Retrieved 25 July 2016.
Further reading
- Mayoclinic-atherosclerosis
- Lusis, Aldons J; Mar, Rebecca; Pajukanta, Päivi (2004). "Genetics of Atherosclerosis". Annual Review of Genomics and Human Genetics. 5: 189–218. PMID 15485348.