How to check for arteriosclerosis?

Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

Updated on March 31, 2025

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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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The earliest lesions of arteriosclerosis

The earliest lesion of atherosclerosis is the formation of lipid spots and streaks. The so-called lipid spots are small yellow dots that appear on the arterial intima. Under pathological observation, these are small areas of macrophages containing lipid droplets, forming a cluster of foam cells. As this small yellow dot develops, it gradually turns into a yellow streak made up of layers of macrophages containing lipids. The intima also comprises smooth muscle cells and lipids, as well as an infiltration of T cells, resembling a yellow streak on the intima.

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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

53sec

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What tea to drink for arteriosclerosis?

Patients with arteriosclerosis can drink various types of tea, including green tea, black tea, chrysanthemum tea, goji berry tea, and ginseng tea. These teas can be consumed to increase blood flow, renew knowledge, enhance circulation, cleanse the blood vessels, and alleviate arteriosclerosis. However, one should not rely solely on drinking tea to treat arteriosclerosis. It is also necessary to use certain medications and adjust dietary structures, adopting a low-fat, low-salt, low-sugar diet, avoiding animal liver and fatty meats, reducing the intake of fried foods, and abstaining from high-cholesterol foods such as cream, fish roe, and shrimp.

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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.

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Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

36sec

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Early symptoms of arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis often has many symptoms, which mainly depend on the location of the arteriosclerosis. For example, patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis often experience dizziness, headaches, or confusion, If it is coronary arteriosclerosis, it often causes symptoms of chest tightness or shortness of breath in patients, which tend to be more obvious or worsen after activity, If it is lower limb arteriosclerosis, it often causes pain when walking, which can disappear or significantly reduce after rest.