Risk factors for arteriosclerosis

Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
Updated on September 23, 2024
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The etiology of atherosclerosis is not yet fully understood, but the main risk factors include age and gender. The older the age, the higher the probability of occurrence, and the probability in men is higher than in women. Abnormal blood lipids, with the main treatment target being low-density lipoprotein, hypertension, smoking, glucose tolerance abnormalities, and obesity are all possible risk factors. Additionally, we cannot ignore family history; if there is a history of early-onset coronary heart disease in the family, then this risk factor is also very high. Moreover, personality is related, with Type A personalities being more prone to atherosclerosis. Dietary habits are also related; patients who often eat high-calorie, high-animal-fat, high-cholesterol foods are prone to develop the condition. There are also patients taking oral contraceptives, who are likely to develop atherosclerosis.

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Written by Tang Li
Cardiology
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Causes of arteriosclerosis

The etiology of arteriosclerosis has not been fully determined, and studies indicate that arteriosclerosis is a multifactorial disease, caused by multiple factors acting at different stages, which are referred to as risk factors. The primary risk factors include the following: First, age and gender. Clinically, it is more common in middle-aged and elderly people over forty years old. After the age of forty-nine, the progression is fast, but early arteriosclerotic changes have also been found in autopsy of some young adults and even children. In recent years, clinical onset age tends to be younger. Compared to men, the incidence rate in women is lower, because estrogen has a protective effect against arteriosclerosis. Therefore, the incidence rate in women increases rapidly after menopause. Age and gender are unchangeable risk factors. Second, abnormal lipid levels, with abnormal lipid metabolism being the most important risk factor for arteriosclerosis. Third, hypertension, as the incidence of arteriosclerosis in patients with hypertension is significantly higher. Sixty to seventy percent of patients with coronary arteriosclerosis have hypertension, and patients with hypertension are three to four times more likely to have arteriosclerosis compared to those with normal blood pressure. Fourth, smoking, as the incidence and mortality rate of coronary arteriosclerosis in smokers are two to six times higher than in non-smokers, and it correlates positively with the number of cigarettes smoked daily. Secondhand smoke is also a risk factor. Fifth, diabetes and glucose intolerance, where not only is the incidence of arteriosclerosis in diabetic patients several times higher than in non-diabetics, but the progression of the disease is also rapid. Sixth, obesity, defined as being more than twenty percent over the standard weight or a BMI greater than twenty-four. Obesity is also a risk factor for arteriosclerosis. Seventh, family history, where a family history of coronary heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia significantly increases the incidence of coronary heart disease. Various theories have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of coronary arteriosclerosis from different perspectives. These include the lipid infiltration theory, thrombosis theory, and smooth muscle cell clonal theory. In recent years, the endothelial damage response theory has gained more support, suggesting that the disease results from various risk factors ultimately damaging the arterial intima, and the formation of arteriosclerosis lesions is an inflammatory, fibro-proliferative response of the arteries to endothelial damage.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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Can arteriosclerosis be treated with moxibustion?

Arteriosclerosis can be treated with moxibustion. Moxibustion is a traditional disease treatment method in Chinese medicine, which can treat many diseases clinically. For patients with arteriosclerosis, moxibustion therapy can improve some clinical symptoms caused by arteriosclerosis. However, one should not rely solely on moxibustion for the treatment of atherosclerosis, as the mechanism of atherosclerosis is due to the disorder of lipid metabolism and the hardening of arterial walls caused by increased blood lipids. Treatment should include medication and dietary adjustments such as low-salt, low-sugar, and low-fat diets, and avoiding fatty meats, animal offal, and seafood high in cholesterol.

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Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
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Arteriosclerosis is divided into several stages.

Arterial atherosclerosis sequentially manifests as three major types: lipid spots and stripes, atheromatous and fibrous atheromatous plaques, and complex lesions. According to the process of its occurrence and development, it can be subdivided into six types. The first type is lipid spots, which are small yellow spots on the arterial intima that gradually develop into the second type, lipid stripes, where some yellow stripes appear on the arterial intima. Then there is the third type, pre-lesional plaque, where more lipid droplets appear extracellularly. The fourth type is the atheromatous plaque, where lipids accumulate excessively and form lipid pools, and the intimal structure will be damaged. The fifth type is the fibrous atheromatous plaque, which is the most characteristic lesion of arterial atherosclerosis. The sixth type is a complex lesion, representing a severe condition.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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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.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Can arteriosclerosis be cured?

Atherosclerosis can only slow down its further progression and prevent the further occurrence of conditions such as coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction, and lower limb arterial occlusion. This is because it is influenced by many factors, including both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. For example, modifiable factors include abnormal blood lipids, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and overweight obesity, which we can change. However, there are also non-modifiable factors such as age, genetics, and environmental factors. As age increases, the incidence of atherosclerosis significantly rises. Its pathological changes generally begin in childhood or adolescence, with symptoms becoming more apparent as age progresses.