plaques in the arteries

Arteries are blood vessels that are found throughout the human body. Plaques or deposits in the arteries can have serious consequences.

Arteries are blood vessels that are found throughout the human body. From the age of about 40, the risk of deposits forming in the arteries increases steadily. These deposits are called plaques. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, obesity and Diabetes are factors that can cause plaques in the arteries. But infections such as flu or inflammation of the blood vessels can also be the cause of such changes. Men are affected earlier than women, but this evens out in later years.

arteriosclerosis

Deposits in the arteries are colloquially referred to as arteriosclerosis. The medical term is arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis. In reality, however, there is neither a deposit on the surface of the inner wall of the vessel, nor is it chemically calcium. Arteriosclerosis plaques contain calcium salts that harden the vessel. Arteriosclerosis is therefore a form of arterial hardening. Connective tissue proliferation, deposits of cholesterol, fatty acids and calcium phosphate cause the vessel walls to harden and thicken. The elasticity of the vessel walls is thereby reduced, which often leads to a narrowing of the vessel volume. On the other hand, the vessel wall can also be weakened, causing it to expand and an aneurysm to form.
 
The Disease Over time, this leads to the narrowing or blockage of certain arteries. The blood flow in the affected organs is disrupted and there is an undersupply of oxygen. When atherosclerotic plaques break off, blood clots form which can completely block a vessel. These are the causes of medical emergencies such as Heart attack and StrokeCardiovascular diseases caused by arteriosclerosis are responsible for most deaths worldwide.

Symptoms of Arteriosclerosis

The symptoms of arteriosclerosis vary, depending on which organs are affected. If the coronary arteries are affected by arteriosclerosis, this causes chest pain or a feeling of tightness in the chest when exerting oneself. Arteriosclerosis in the cerebral arteries can cause paralysis, visual disturbances or short absences. If the central nervous system is affected by arteriosclerosis, it can lead to disorders and syndromes such as memory problems, rapid fatigue, headaches or dizziness. A sudden blockage of a cerebral artery leads to an ischemic stroke. As people get older, dementia can also develop from cerebral artery calcification.

Intermittent claudication

Arteriosclerosis causes pain in the legs, as well as a feeling of coldness and pale skin in the affected areas. The pain occurs mainly when walking and forces those affected to stop again and again. Severe circulatory problems in the legs can lead to infections and skin ulcers or tissue death. The toes are not uncommonly affected. Tissue death leads to the affected region turning black. Bacterial infections can easily develop in tissue damage with poor blood circulation, which are then difficult to treat. Those affected can therefore only walk short distances and have to stop again and again. This disease is also called "window shopping disease" because the walking pattern resembles the typical behavior when strolling through town. Those affected often do not notice anything for a long time or cannot interpret the first signs.

examination and therapy

Various tests are carried out to diagnose arteriosclerosis. These include a ECG in peace and a Stress ECG, a Echocardiography in peace and a stress echocardiography. An ultrasound examination of the neck and leg vessels and the determination of the vascular elasticity and the pulse wave velocity. We offer a special heart and vascular check.
 
The first step in treating arteriosclerosis is to prevent the disease from progressing. This includes lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol and lowering blood sugar in diabetes.
 
Blocked vessels can be widened or bypassed. Bypass operations or expansions using balloons or stents are possible treatment methods.