About Vascular Disease (Atherosclerosis/Arteriosclerosis)

At South Bay Family Medical Group we provide preventative testing and procedures for unsuspected illnesses such as vascular disease

What is Atherosclerosis/Arteriosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis/Arteriosclerosis is a buildup of plaque in the arteries. This is caused by deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances that build up in the inner lining of an artery over time. This fatty material thickens, hardens and may eventually block the arteries. Eventually, the plaques can make the artery narrow and less flexible, making it harder for blood to flow.

Pieces of plaque can break off and move through the affected artery to smaller blood vessels, blocking them and causing tissue damage or death (embolization). This is a common cause of heart attack and stroke. Blood clots can also form around a tear (fissure) in the plaque, leading to blocked blood flow. If the clot moves into an artery in the heart, lungs, or brain, it can cause a stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism. In some cases, the atherosclerotic plaque is associated with a weakening of the wall of an artery leading to an aneurysm.

Atherosclerosis/Arteriosclerosis is the cause of the three main kinds of cardiovascular disease:

• Family history of heart disease or stroke
• Overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Age 40 or older
• High fat diet
• Tobacco use
• Elevated triglycerides
• High LDL (bad) cholesterol
• Low HDL (good) cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Menopausal
• Diabetic
• Metabolic syndrome
• Steroid us

Symptoms

Symptoms usually do not occur until blood flow becomes restricted or blocked. It is vital to get preventative testing and producers early.

Who is Most at Risk of Vascular Disease?

Below are some of the risk factors for vascular disease that may prompt you or your doctor to request a CIMT:

• Coronary artery disease: Stable plaques in the heart's arteries cause angina (chest pain on exertion). Sudden plaque rupture and clotting causes heart muscle to die. This is a heart attack, or myocardial infarction.
• Cerebrovascular disease: Ruptured plaques in the brain's arteries cause’s strokes, with the potential for permanent brain damage. Temporary blockages in an artery can also cause transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), which are warning signs of stroke; however, there is no brain injury.
• Peripheral artery disease (PAD): Narrowing in the arteries of the legs caused by plaque. Peripheral artery disease causes poor circulation. This causes pain on walking and poor wound healing. Severe disease may lead to amputations.