In Arteriosclerosis (Atherosclerosis),
plaque deposits build-up on artery inner-walls, which
are blood vessels carrying oxygen-rich blood thruout
the body. As the
arteries walls thicken, the pathway for
blood flow tends to narrow. This effect can decrease
or even completely block the bodies blood flow over time.
Plaque deposis are formed from cholesterol, fat, calcium,
and other minerals found in the blood. When blood cholesterol
levels are elevated, there is a greater chance plaque
will build up on the artery walls. In most people, this
process begins when they are children or teenagers.
Plaque formations can begin to adhere to the arteries in
young children and steadily worsen as the kids get older. After many years
the plaque can buildup to such a degree it leads to arteriosclerosis,
which artery disease is also known as Atherosclerosis. This is
why a healthy diet and lifestyle is important for your
kids health and ongoing wellness in later years as you age.
Arteriosclerosis, also known as atherosclerosis of the extremities,
is a disease of the blood vessels characterized by narrowing and hardening
of the arteries that supply the legs and feet. This
causes a decrease in blood flow that can injure nerves
and other tissues.
Arteriosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries,"
commonly shows its effects first in the legs and feet.
The narrowing of the arteries may progress to total
closure (occlusion) of the vessel. The vessel walls
become less elastic and cannot dilate to allow greater
blood flow when needed (such as during exercise). Calcium
deposits in the walls of the arteries contribute to
the narrowing and stiffness. The effects of these deposits
may be seen on ordinary xrays.
This is a common disorder, typically affecting men over
age 50. People are at higher risk if they have
a personal or family history of coronary artery disease
(heart disease) or cerebrovascular disease (stroke),
diabetes, smoking, hypertension (high blood pressure),
or kidney disease involving hemodialysis.
A sedentary lifestyle and lifetime lack of exercise seems to be
major contributing factors for getting arteriosclerosis and heart-disease onset.
It's believed by Medical Doctors a proper
eating and exercise program can also slow down the disease and possibly (in some cases) even reverse arteriosclerosis, though the jury is out on that issue. There are indications long-time healthy eating, alternative medicine, stress reduction relaxation techniques, health foods and even drinks like Green Tea can possibly help your general health and blood circulation.
Arteriosclerosis does not usually display symptoms until
it narrows or blocks an artery. Once arteriosclerosis
has narrowed or blocked an artery, symptoms may include
angina and cramping leg pain during walking (claudication).
 Coronary Artery Disease is a type of atherosclerosis in which plaque builds up inside the arteries that carry blood
to the heart. As the artery walls thicken, the passageway
for blood narrows. Sometimes platelets gather at the
narrowing, forming a clot that decreases or prevents
blood flow to the region of the heart supplied by the artery.
A trip to the operating room for heart-surgery is a widely used treatment option for many heart patients in serious cases of arteriosclerosis, which coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the US, Canada and most other nations of the world each year.
Two terms medical doctors use to describe the condition is
"arteriosclerotic heart disease" and also "congestive heart failure." Angina is a common word heart patients often use to describe the disease.
 Angina
is pain or discomfort, most often felt in the chest, that
happens when some region of the heart receives
insufficient blood oxygen. It is usually a health symptom
of coronary artery disease, which occurs when the vessels
that carry blood to the heart become narrowed and blocked
due to arteriosclerotic heart disease.
Angina can feel like a squeezing pain, pressure, or
tightness usually in the chest under the breastbone,
but sometimes in the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or
back. Angina is most commonly felt after physical exertion.
It is also triggered by stress, extreme cold or heat,
heavy meals, alcohol, and cigarette smoking.
 In
congestive heart failure, the heart cannot pump enough
blood. The heart keeps working, but not as well as it
should. This causes blood to back up in the veins leading
to the heart, and sometimes causes fluid to build up
in the legs or other parts of the body.
Congestive heart failure happens when the heart is
diseased, injured, or simply over-worked. Peripheral artery disease is often an early indicator of congestive heart failure and arteriosclerotic heart disease.
 A
heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of
the heart muscle is severely reduced or blocked due
to a narrowing in one of the coronary arteries. This
usually occurs as a result of arteriosclerosis. When
platelets gather at the narrowing, they can form a blod-clot
that completely blocks the arteries blood flow. If the blood
supply is cut-off for more than a few minutes, the muscle
cells of the heart may be permanently injured or die
from lack of oxygen.
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