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Atherosclerosis
Is arteriosclerosis hereditary?
Arteriosclerosis has a genetic predisposition, which may be closely related to physical constitution and certain diseases. In families with members suffering from obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, the incidence of arteriosclerosis in their children tends to be higher than in average families. Therefore, individuals in these families should be mindful of losing weight, adjusting their dietary structure, and eating less food high in cholesterol. Additionally, treating primary diseases, reducing blood sugar, and controlling blood pressure are essential steps to prevent the early onset of arteriosclerosis.
How is coronary atherosclerosis treated?
Coronary atherosclerosis is treated generally through the following three aspects: The first aspect is general preventive measures, which include four sub-aspects. First is actively controlling risk factors related to the disease, such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. Second is a reasonable diet, controlling the total caloric intake in the diet to reach a normal weight range, which can be simply measured using BMI, or waist circumference, with over 80 cm in females and 85 cm in males being considered overweight. Third is appropriate physical labor and sports activity. Fifth, rational arrangement of work and life, advocating quitting smoking and limiting alcohol, regular work schedules, maintaining an optimistic and pleasant mood, avoiding emotional excitement and excessive fatigue, balancing work and rest, and ensuring adequate sleep. Medicinal treatment includes five items: one is adjusting blood lipids, commonly using statin drugs; second look at antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin and clopidogrel; third involves thrombolysis or anticoagulation, for instance, warfarin and low molecular weight heparin; fourth involves using drugs that improve myocardial remodeling and prognosis, such as valsartan and ACE inhibitors; additionally, there is treatment for ischemic symptoms, and if angina occurs, nitrate drugs like nitroglycerin can be used, as well as others like metoprolol. Lastly, the third major category is interventional and surgical procedures. If there is significant coronary artery narrowing, greater than 90%, procedures like stent placement or coronary artery bypass surgery can be performed. These three major aspects comprise the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis.
Can arteriosclerosis be cured?
There are currently many data to prove that the progression of arteriosclerotic lesions is not irreversible. Through angiography or intravascular ultrasound, it has been confirmed that early arteriosclerotic lesions can partially recede after controlling and treating risk factors for a period of time. This demonstrates that arteriosclerosis can be actively managed by controlling its risk factors, such as abnormal blood lipids, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, reduced glucose tolerance, obesity, Type A personality, and dietary patterns, and it can be treated. However, there are three aspects that are still uncontrollable: age, gender, and family history. This indicates that it is not possible to completely cure the condition; it can only alleviate the progression of the disease.
How to check for arteriosclerosis?
Arteriosclerosis is a relatively common disease in our daily life. After being diagnosed with arteriosclerosis, the following tests should be considered: Firstly, blood tests, such as lipid panels, are necessary to determine the levels of blood lipids. Based on the results, medication might be required for treatment. Secondly, arterial Doppler ultrasound is useful as it can effectively detect the presence and severity of arteriosclerosis. Thirdly, arterial angiography is recommended when there is a strong suspicion of arterial narrowing due to arteriosclerosis, leading to coronary heart disease or other conditions. This test helps in determining the severity of the arteriosclerosis and in deciding the treatment plan.
Can people with arteriosclerosis drink alcohol?
Arteriosclerosis is a very common disease in daily life. After being diagnosed with arteriosclerosis, many patients often feel worried or anxious, and frequently ask their doctor if they can drink alcohol. The answer is yes, patients with arteriosclerosis can drink a moderate amount of alcohol, but should not drink excessively. As the saying goes, good liquor, when consumed properly, can be beneficial to health. Drinking in moderation can have certain health benefits. In addition, while drinking in moderation, it is also important to maintain good living habits, exercise regularly, quit smoking, and control weight to prevent the occurrence and progression of arteriosclerosis. (This should be done under the guidance of a doctor.)
Can atherosclerosis be cured?
Atherosclerosis is a very common disease in daily life. Many patients, after being diagnosed with atherosclerosis, often ask doctors "Can my atherosclerosis be cured?" The answer is no, as atherosclerosis cannot be completely cured. However, this does not mean that atherosclerosis is untreatable. From a medical perspective, controlling blood pressure, lipids, and blood sugar, maintaining good lifestyle habits, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, controlling weight, and following a doctor's guidance to properly take medications can effectively control the onset and progression of atherosclerosis.
Is coronary arteriosclerosis serious?
The severity of arterial atherosclerosis is related to the location of the lesion and the narrowing it causes in the coronary arteries. This is because if the blood flow through the coronary arteries is insufficient to meet the metabolic demands of the heart muscle, it can lead to ischemia and hypoxia of the heart muscle, causing angina. Severe and prolonged ischemia can lead to myocardial necrosis, or myocardial infarction. When there is significant narrowing in the coronary artery lumen, for instance more than 50%-75%, the situation can be compensated during rest. However, during exercise or rapid heart rate or emotional excitation, the oxygen demand of the heart muscle increases. This may result in mild or transient myocardial oxygen supply, or an imbalance between supply and demand. Another scenario involves unstable atherosclerotic plaques that rupture, erode, or bleed, leading to platelet aggregation or thrombus formation, causing a rapid worsening of luminal narrowing. This results in a decreased supply of oxygen to heart muscle, leading to acute coronary syndrome, which is very severe. In fact, the degree of coronary artery atherosclerosis is positively correlated with plaque stability, plaque location, and the elasticity of the coronary artery.
What foods to eat for arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis has become increasingly prevalent as living standards improve. This is directly related to unreasonable adjustments in dietary structure. People in this demographic should focus on a diet low in fats, sugars, and oils, and consume more vegetables and fruits as well as foods high in dietary fiber. Suitable fruits and vegetables include apples, oranges, tomatoes, kelp, kiwis, grapefruits, seaweed, enoki mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms, onions, and peas. These foods contain high levels of vitamins, trace elements, and dietary fiber, which can purify the blood and help reduce high cholesterol and alleviate the progression of arteriosclerosis.
Arteriosclerosis is a disease
Arteriosclerosis is a disease characterized by thickening of the arterial wall and narrowing of the arterial lumen due to plaque formation, leading to various problems. As for whether arteriosclerosis can be prevented and treated, the answer is definitely yes. This can be achieved by maintaining good lifestyle habits. Regular exercise, quitting smoking, and controlling blood pressure and blood sugar with medications under a doctor’s guidance, as well as appropriate use of statin medications, can effectively prevent and treat the onset, progression, and worsening of arteriosclerosis.
How to prevent arteriosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a disease related to aging, poor lifestyle habits such as smoking, and metabolic abnormalities such as hyperlipidemia or diabetes. Atherosclerosis can be effectively prevented. To prevent atherosclerosis, the following should be adhered to: First, maintain good lifestyle habits, exercise regularly, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and eat less spicy and greasy foods. Second, control blood pressure, blood lipids, and blood sugar levels. When issues such as elevated blood pressure and lipids arise, it is necessary to use medication under the guidance of a doctor.