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What
Affect Will Atherosclerosis
Have on Your Future?
Atherosclerosis
is the main cause of a group of diseases called cardiovascular diseases
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Atherosclerosis, a build
up of plaque on the wall of an artery, can lead to clogged arteries
in any part of the body. Normally, there are no symptoms of atherosclerosis
until one or more arteries are so clogged with plaque that blood flow
is severely reduced, or a blood clot forms, completely blocking an already
narrowed artery.
Charles M. Rhodes, M.D., Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital cardiologist,
helps us to understand this condition by answering some common questions.
What is plaque?
“Plaque is a combination of cholesterol, calcium, blood components,
and other fatty materials,” Dr. Rhodes stated. “These components
stick to the wall of the artery and take on various sizes and shapes.
Some plaques can rupture or burst causing blood clotting inside the
artery. If a blood clot totally blocks the flow of blood through an
artery, a heart attack or stroke can occur.”
What are the risk factors for developing atherosclerosis?
“There are a number of risk factors which can raise your chances
of developing atherosclerosis,” Dr. Rhodes said. “The most
common factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes,
obesity, a family history of atherosclerosis, and being physically inactive.
The more risk factors an individual has, the more likely they are to
develop atherosclerosis.”
How is atherosclerosis diagnosed?
“There are a number of tests that doctors use in diagnosing cardiovascular
diseases,” explained Dr. Rhodes. “A general physical examination
can reveal valuable information, such as family history of heart or
vascular disease, and can provide an assessment of common risk factors,
which increase your chance of developing the condition. Once it is established
a patient is at an increased risk, blood tests, electrocardiograms,
stress testing, and evaluation at the hospital’s Vascular Center
can help identify if atherosclerosis is present.”
Can atherosclerosis be prevented?
Dr. Rhodes notes that the most important way to prevent cardiovascular
disease is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. “Individuals should
adopt a healthy diet, have regular physical activity, stop smoking,
and maintain a healthy weight to prevent cardiovascular disease such
as atherosclerosis.”
For more information about atherosclerosis, or the diagnosis and prevention
of cardiovascular diseases, please speak to your primary care physician.
If you do not have a family doctor, please call the CareLine
at (606) 833-CARE (2273) for a family physician referral.
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