What are the symptoms of Atherosclerosis?
Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 at
3:31 PM
What are the symptoms? Especially for someone in their early twenties? Will a doctor prescribe potassium chloride for atherosclerosis?
Filed under: Potassium Side Effects
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Atherosclerosis develops gradually. There are usually no atherosclerosis symptoms until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can’t supply adequate blood to your organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely obstructs blood flow, or even breaks apart and causes blood clots that can trigger a heart attack or stroke.
Atherosclerosis symptoms depend on which arteries are affected. For example:
If you have atherosclerosis in your heart arteries, you may have symptoms similar to those of a heart attack, such as chest pain (angina).
If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your brain, you may have symptoms such as sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, or drooping muscles in your face.
If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries in your arms and legs, you may have symptoms of peripheral arterial disease, such as leg pain when walking (intermittent claudication).
Sometimes atherosclerosis causes erectile dysfunction in men.
WebMD is your friend.
http://www.webmd.com/search/search_results/default.aspx?query=Atherosclerosis&sourceType=undefined
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/what-is-atherosclerosis
usually there are no symptoms of atherosclerosis unti a major cardiac event is experienced, such as a heart attack. Heart attack is often times the first symptom of dieseases and conditions such as Atherosclerosis, CAD, Peripheral Artery diesease, and several more. Whateverr a doctor prescribes to treat atherosclerosis really depends on the individual patient. Some less severe cases they will only monitor for a while, while more serious buildups they will prescribe rigorous treatment.
ATH is a gradual process whereby LDLs get deposited in your blood vessels e.g. carotid bifurcation, aorta, vestibulobasilar a. , popliteal a. etc. They get modified via oxidation and engulfed by macrohages and become foam cells. This lesion is then called an atheroma. It can gradually build up and occlude the lumen of the artery and this is when symptoms occur. This means that less oxygen is getting your tissues.ATH symptoms depends on severity and site of occlusion
In the heart: you can get Myocardial Infarction (commonly known as heart attack). Signs: chest pains radiating to left side and back (>few minutes and not relieved by nitroglycerin), difficulty breathing, sweating
In the peripheral vessels e.g. lower limbs- cause peripheral vascular disease. Symptoms include: edema, shiny skin, loss of hair, ulcers
These atheromas are friable e.g. they can break off and lodge elsewhere causing embolism e.g. cerebral infarction (stroke). Signs depends on the area of embolism. General: paralysis, weakness, loss of vision etc.
Treatments: statins, anticoagulants, antiplatelets, anti-hypertensives
Symptoms
Atherosclerosis develops gradually. There are usually no atherosclerosis symptoms until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can’t supply adequate blood to your organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely obstructs blood flow, or even breaks apart and causes blood clots that can trigger a heart attack or stroke.
Atherosclerosis symptoms depend on which arteries are affected. For example:
If you have atherosclerosis in your heart arteries, you may have symptoms similar to those of a heart attack, such as chest pain (angina).
If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your brain, you may have symptoms such as sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, or drooping muscles in your face.
If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries in your arms and legs, you may have symptoms of peripheral arterial disease, such as leg pain when walking (intermittent claudication).
Sometimes atherosclerosis causes erectile dysfunction in men.
When to see a doctor
If you think you have atherosclerosis — or risk factors for hardening of the arteries — talk to your doctor. Also pay attention to early symptoms of inadequate blood flow, such as chest pain (angina), leg pain or numbness. Early diagnosis and treatment can stop atherosclerosis from worsening and prevent a medical emergency.