Question 1

what is arteriosclerosis?

Accepted Answer

CVD: It is hardening of the arteries, caused by fat, cholesterol, and other substances building up in the arteries  - this is called plaque - making the arteries stiffer.  This plaque interferes with the normal function of the arteries and can cause problems and symptoms throughout the body.  The plaque can block the arteries and/or it can break off and flow to smaller vessels and block them.

Question 2

is arteriosclerosis inherited?

Accepted Answer

Sort of: Well it's not inherited like your eye color but the tendency to develop it is inherited related to many factors. High cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and other risk factors are also inherited to a degree. So the bottom line is that if your parents have arteriosclerosis you are at greater risk. It would be even more important to modify your risk factors.

Question 3

is arteriosclerosis reversible?

Accepted Answer

Not really: Don't believe everything you hear. Atherosclerosis can be stabilized with current meds/treatments but significant regression (>10%) is extremely difficult to demonstrate in humans. Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease. There is no "cure".

Question 4

how is arteriosclerosis treated?

Accepted Answer

Treatment options: Arteriosclerosis has several contributing risk factors. Not all are known but many we do. Agressive treatment of the modifiable risk factors is the key to treatment.Also weather you are treating a patient for primay prevention (no history of mi or stroke) or secondary
( pt had mi, cva, bypass surgery etc.).Regardless exercise good diet smoke cessation and good controll of BP and diabetes and wt loss.

Question 5

why is arteriosclerosis chronic?

Accepted Answer

It progresses: Because once it develops it is not very reversible. It tends to get progressinvely worse as you age. You can slow down the process or even in some cases reverse it by eliminatiing your risk factors.

Question 6

what can arteriosclerosis cause?

Accepted Answer

Plethora of problems: Arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis can result in a plethora of problems such as erectile dysfunction, claudication, dementia, heart attacks, strokes, and premature death.

Question 7

what happens in arteriosclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Progressive blockage: It is a progressive hardening of the arteries, caused by fat, cholesterol, and other substances building up in the arteries  - this is called plaque - making the arteries stiffer.This plaque interferes with the normal function of the arteries and can cause problems and symptoms throughout the body.The plaque can block the arteries and/or it can break off and flow to smaller vessels and block them.

Question 8

when does arteriosclerosis start?

Accepted Answer

Early: The process of atherosclerosis can actually begin in our late teens and early twenties; although the consequences may not manifest for many years. Autopsy examination from young people dying in wars and trauma has revealed early signs of atherosclerosis in these individuals.

Question 9

why is arteriosclerosis dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Blocks blood flow: Arteriosclerosis is dangeous if it restricts blood flow to vital organs by causing build-up of plaque that narrows the inside of arteries. However the most potential for harm comes from the rare instances where atherosclerotic plaques may become inflamed and suddently activate clotting components, leading to a sudden complete (or near-complete) obstruction of blood flow.

Question 10

how can you cure arteriosclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Manage: There is no cure for atherosclerosis but you can manage it: quit smoking!, lose weight: BMI <28, control blood pressure, control cholesterol, exercise every day (clear program with your doctor), take prescribed medications, control blood sugar, change diet to low fat, low sugar.  Take care of yourself and you can control this disease process!

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Arteriosclerosis

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