Essay On Atherosclerosis

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Discovered in 1913 by a man named Nikolai Anichkov, atherosclerosis is a disease where things like calcium and fat build up in the arteries and block blood flow. Arteries harden as a result of it, and it’ll cause problems transferring blood around the body. The plaque will form a barrier, and can cause serious problems in the body, like other diseases and disorders. The results are possibly deadly. There is a layer on the inside of every vein that keeps it smooth called endothelium. It allows blood to flow quickly and easily throughout the body. If the endothelium is torn or hurt, it’ll create a spot where calcium and fat can build up. Over time, the plaque will become so much that the flow will be disrupted. Blood clots can form and block passageways. This can be very deadly, because the clots can travel to different parts of the body and clog different vessels. Depending on where the clog is, it will have different effects. Clogs in the limbs can lead to gangrene, a condition where tissue dies because of a lack of blood supply. Clogs near the head can end up in strokes, while clogs near the heart can lead to heart attack. A common concern with atherosclerosis is when it starts harming the body. Most of the time, atherosclerosis begins at middle to older age. It is unusual to harm children, teens, and young adults because of the time it takes for passages to become clogged. It rapidly progresses in a person’s mid 30s though, and it is common for problems to occur in a person’s later adult years. Although atherosclerosis usually doesn’t harm younger bodies or take a serious phase early on, it sometimes starts forming in an individual’s early years. It has no symptoms, and is only detectable through certain tests. Symptoms are often nonexistent, and can stay hidden until after a stroke or heart attack. Many teens and young adults have some form of it, but it isn’t evident and doesn’t take a toll on the body. On the topic of causes, the most common cause of atherosclerosis is genetics. Many times when it is diagnosed, the main reason is from issues from their family. It is recommended that one looks at their family history to see if this disease runs along from person to person. There are many ways of lowering the chance of atherosclerosis occurring, but sometimes it just isn’t preventable. Another way of getting this cardiovascular disease is by having a high level of cholesterol in the body. Over time, the cholesterol will accumulate and enter the damaged spot on the artery and cause deeper problems. After all, the plaque that builds up is just a big collection of cholesterol, junk, and other cells that have piled together. The cholesterol then forms a big bulge on the artery wall and causes blockage. The whole reason high cholesterol levels are dangerous is because of the increased chance for blockage will the higher amount of cells that can get caught. A final couple reasons for blockage is smoking and lifestyle issues. If a person has terrible lifestyle habits, like not getting exercise or …show more content…
Controlling cholesterol levels is one of the most important things to do when trying to prevent atherosclerosis. The lower and healthier the cholesterol level is, the better. It is vital to maintain regular levels so the plaque doesn’t build up, gather cells, and create a blockage in the veins.
Not only are healthy cholesterol levels important to maintain, but a healthy lifestyle and diet will help, too. Diets and weight management have been known to lower the risks of atherosclerosis. Lifestyle changes like this can help lower the amounts of cells and plaque in the veins. Medication can also be prescribed to help control the amount of excess cells.
Overall, atherosclerosis doesn’t strike until after the age of 30. It is a disease that deserves more attention as well, as it causes many other diseases like coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attack, and angina. It isn’t 100% preventable and there are currently no cures. The best way to stay away from it is to lead a healthy lifestyle. Thousands upon thousands of people have problems with atherosclerosis, and the results of it are possibly

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