Question 1

what are the signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Varied: it depends on the artery distribution. If arteries to the heart are affected patients can have chest pain or a heart attack. Arteries to the brain may or may not have symptoms but mini strokes and full strokes can occur. Build up in arteries to the legs lead to problems with walking and wound development.

Question 2

can dizziness be a sign of blocked arteries to the heart?

Accepted Answer

Yes but...: Coronary artery disease can cause dizziness if the blockage significantly affects the heart's function or causes an arrhythmia that lowers the heart's output. However, there are usually other symptoms as well, including:
chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, decreased exercise tolerance, palpitations, etc. 
You don't need every symptom, but the more you have, the greater the suspicion.

Question 3

what's atherosclerosis from?

Accepted Answer

Multifactorial: Usually a combination of having a family history, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, smoking. These are the main players.

Question 4

can atherosclerosis be cured?

Accepted Answer

No: Medications and life style changes can prevent it from progressing and at times cause some regression, but will not cure it.

Question 5

is atherosclerosis hereditary?

Accepted Answer

It can be: Yes, atherosclerosis, cholesterol and many other factors can be hereditary - there is a genetic factor - but that is not the end of the story.  Smoking, diabetes, overweight/obesity, diet, exercise, cholesterol control (i.e. The preceeding and medications) can influence the progress of atherosclerosis.  1st: know you numbers, 2nd: control the aforementioned factors and take your rx(s).

Question 6

how does atherosclerosis start?

Accepted Answer

Multiple causes: Atherosclerosis is a complex process with diffrent risk factors. Age, htn, high cholesterol, diabetes, family history, tobacco use. The liningof blood vessel has a barrier that protects it.  If something causes damage to this, than cholesterol can enter the wall of the vessel and accumulate. Such things as high blood pressue and diabetes are examples of dz that can damage the lining and promote ashd.

Question 7

what happens in atherosclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Artery blockage: The process affects arteries causing a buildup of plaque which can narrow the artery. If the plaque ruptures the artery can suddenly get occluded. If an artery is narrowed or occluded, symptoms would occur. The symptoms would depend on what part of the body is supplied by that artery. Chest pain if heart, stroke or TIA if brain, pain in area if arm or leg for istance.

Question 8

can you reverse atherosclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Medication and life style changes can prevent progression and in some cases cause some reversal of the disease.

Question 9

what does atherosclerosis effect?

Accepted Answer

Artery wall: It affects the wall of arteries. Plaque builds up and can eventually block the artery resulting in symptoms such as chest pain if teh heart arteries are involved or stroke if it is the brain arteries. Factors such as a high cholesterol make the process more likely to occur.

Question 10

what is atherosclerosis linked to?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a fancy name for disease of the arteries: risk factors are: genetics (your parents :-)), smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity. There are other, secondary risks that are determined by specialized blood tests.

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