Q: which people get arteriosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis: Anybody can... Risks include: 1. Genetics 2. Untreated high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol/triglycerides, diabetes. 3. Smoking 4.Obesity, low functional capacity (lack of exercise) 5. Age and gender.

Q: what does arteriosclerosis lead to?

Blockage(s): It leads to 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.

Q: who is at risk for arteriosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis: Those with family history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, overweight, men and post-menopausal women. There is a web site for framingham risk profile to check your individual risk.

Q: are there cures for arteriosclerosis?

Not really: There is no cure for arteriosclerosis. Everyone is going to have some arteriosclerosis if you live long enough. You can slow progression of arteriosclerosis by controlling your risk factors: blood pressure goal <130/80mmhg; ldl goal< 100mg/dl; daily aerobic exercise > 45 minutes; not smoking; staying close to normal BMI of < 25kg/m2; if you are diabetic, keep good control with A1c goal < 7.

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

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 6

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!

Question 7

which people get arteriosclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis: Anybody can...
Risks include:
1. Genetics
2. Untreated high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol/triglycerides, diabetes.
3. Smoking
4.Obesity, low functional capacity (lack of exercise)
5. Age and gender.

Question 8

what does arteriosclerosis lead to?

Accepted Answer

Blockage(s): It leads to 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 9

who is at risk for arteriosclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis: Those with family history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, overweight, men and post-menopausal women. There is a web site for framingham risk profile to check your individual risk.

Question 10

are there cures for arteriosclerosis?

Accepted Answer

Not really: There is no cure for arteriosclerosis. Everyone is going to have some arteriosclerosis if you live long enough. You can slow progression of arteriosclerosis by controlling your risk factors: blood pressure goal <130/80mmhg; 
ldl goal< 100mg/dl; 
daily aerobic exercise > 45 minutes;
not smoking; 
staying close to normal BMI of < 25kg/m2; 
if you are diabetic, keep good control with A1c goal < 7.

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