Miażdżyca
Objawy

Miażdżyca to przewlekła choroba zapalna naczyń, charakteryzująca się odkładaniem blaszek miażdżycowych w ścianach tętnic, prowadzącym do zwężenia światła naczyń i ograniczenia przepływu krwi. Początkowo bezobjawowa, manifestuje się klinicznie przy zwężeniu ≥70% lub całkowitej okluzji, co może skutkować zawałem serca, udarem mózgu lub innymi powikłaniami. Objawy różnią się w zależności od lokalizacji zmian: dławica piersiowa, duszność i kołatanie serca w chorobie wieńcowej; objawy neurologiczne w miażdżycy tętnic mózgowych; chromanie przestankowe i objawy niedokrwienia kończyn w chorobie tętnic obwodowych; nadciśnienie i niewydolność nerek w stenozie tętnic nerkowych; oraz ból brzucha po posiłkach w niedokrwieniu krezkowym. U mężczyzn zaawansowana miażdżyca obwodowa może powodować zaburzenia erekcji, będące wczesnym markerem ryzyka sercowo-naczyniowego.

Objawy miażdżycy

Miażdżyca (atherosclerosis) to przewlekła choroba zapalna naczyń krwionośnych, w której dochodzi do odkładania się złogów tłuszczowych, zwanych blaszkami miażdżycowymi, w ścianach tętnic. Proces ten prowadzi do zwężenia światła naczyń i ograniczenia przepływu krwi do narządów i tkanek. 12

We wczesnych stadiach miażdżyca zazwyczaj nie daje żadnych objawów. Jest to często określane jako „cicha choroba”, która może rozwijać się przez wiele lat, zanim pojawią się jakiekolwiek symptomy. Dzieje się tak, ponieważ tętnice mają zdolność do poszerzania się w miejscach gromadzenia się blaszek miażdżycowych, co początkowo nie wpływa na przepływ krwi. 123

Objawy zwykle pojawiają się dopiero wtedy, gdy tętnica jest znacznie zwężona (zwykle o co najmniej 70%) lub całkowicie zablokowana, co uniemożliwia dostarczenie wystarczającej ilości krwi do narządów i tkanek. Czasami skrzep krwi całkowicie blokuje przepływ krwi lub blaszka miażdżycowa pęka, co może prowadzić do zawału serca lub udaru mózgu. 123

Pierwsze objawy miażdżycy

Objawy mogą pojawić się po raz pierwszy podczas wysiłku fizycznego lub stresu emocjonalnego, gdy organizm potrzebuje więcej tlenu. Symptomy różnią się w zależności od tego, które tętnice są dotknięte chorobą i jak bardzo są zwężone. 12

U niektórych osób pierwszym objawem miażdżycy może być poważne zdarzenie, takie jak zawał serca lub udar mózgu. Według danych z USA, u około 66% mężczyzn i 47% kobiet pierwszym objawem miażdżycowej choroby sercowo-naczyniowej jest zawał serca lub nagła śmierć sercowa (definiowana jako śmierć w ciągu godziny od wystąpienia objawu). 12

Objawy miażdżycy w różnych częściach ciała

Miażdżyca tętnic wieńcowych

Kiedy miażdżyca dotyczy tętnic wieńcowych (choroba wieńcowa), mogą wystąpić następujące objawy: 12

  • Ból lub ucisk w klatce piersiowej (dławica piersiowa) 1
  • Duszność 1
  • Kołatanie serca (uczucie szybkiego lub nierównego bicia serca) 1
  • Zimne poty 1
  • Zawroty głowy 1
  • Skrajne zmęczenie i osłabienie 1
  • Nudności 1

Warto zauważyć, że objawy u kobiet mogą różnić się od tych typowych dla mężczyzn. U kobiet mogą wystąpić nudności, ból brzucha i zawroty głowy, które są często przeoczane, ponieważ różnią się od typowych, męskich objawów. 1

Miażdżyca tętnic szyjnych i mózgowych

W przypadku miażdżycy tętnic prowadzących do mózgu (choroba tętnic szyjnych lub mózgowych), mogą wystąpić objawy podobne do udaru mózgu lub przejściowego ataku niedokrwiennego (TIA): 12

  • Nagłe drętwienie lub osłabienie ramion lub nóg (szczególnie po jednej stronie ciała) 12
  • Trudności z mówieniem lub mowa niewyraźna 12
  • Nagła lub tymczasowa utrata wzroku w jednym oku 12
  • Opadnięcie mięśni twarzy 12
  • Problemy z myśleniem i pamięcią 1
  • Zawroty głowy 1
  • Nagły i silny ból głowy 1
  • Utrata przytomności 1

Nieleczony przejściowy atak niedokrwienny (TIA) może prowadzić do udaru mózgu. 1

Miażdżyca tętnic obwodowych

W przypadku miażdżycy tętnic w ramionach i nogach (choroba tętnic obwodowych, PAD), mogą wystąpić następujące objawy: 12

  • Ból nóg podczas chodzenia, zwany chromaniem przestankowym (intermittent claudication) 12
  • Ból, uczucie ciężkości lub skurcze w nogach podczas chodzenia lub wchodzenia po schodach 1
  • Niższe ciśnienie krwi w dotkniętej chorobą kończynie 1
  • Drętwienie i ból w kończynach 12
  • Utrata włosów na nogach 1
  • Gładka, błyszcząca skóra 1
  • Skóra chłodna w dotyku, szczególnie jeśli występuje ból podczas chodzenia 1
  • Zmniejszone lub nieobecne tętno w stopach 1
  • Rany lub owrzodzenia na nogach lub stopach, które nie goją się 1
  • Zimne lub zdrętwiałe palce u stóp 1

U mężczyzn zaawansowana miażdżyca tętnic obwodowych może również prowadzić do zaburzeń erekcji (ED), co jest wczesnym sygnałem ostrzegawczym, że mężczyzna może być narażony na wyższe ryzyko miażdżycy i jej powikłań. 12

Miażdżyca tętnic nerkowych

W przypadku miażdżycy tętnic prowadzących do nerek (stenoza tętnic nerkowych), mogą wystąpić następujące objawy: 12

  • Wysokie ciśnienie krwi 12
  • Niewydolność nerek 12
  • Utrata apetytu 12
  • Obrzęk rąk i stóp 12
  • Trudności z koncentracją 1
  • Nudności 12
  • Zmęczenie 12
  • Zmiany w częstotliwości oddawania moczu 1
  • Swędzenie lub drętwienie 1

Miażdżyca tętnic krezkowych

W przypadku miażdżycy tętnic krezkowych (niedokrwienie krezkowe jelit), mogą wystąpić następujące objawy: 12

  • Silny ból brzucha po posiłkach 12
  • Utrata wagi 12
  • Biegunka 12
  • Wzdęcia 1
  • Nudności 12

Progresja miażdżycy

Miażdżyca jest chorobą przewlekłą i postępującą, która może rozpocząć się już w dzieciństwie. Włókniste i galaretowate zmiany w tętnicach wieńcowych obserwowano już u dzieci, a pasma tłuszczowe w tętnicach wieńcowych u młodzieży. 12

Choroba zwykle postępuje szybciej między 40. a 50. rokiem życia. Do 60. roku życia około 75% osób ma pewien stopień miażdżycy. 12

Stadia rozwoju miażdżycy

Miażdżyca rozwija się w trzech głównych stadiach: 1

  1. Pasmo tłuszczowe – żółte pasmo, składające się z komórek mięśni gładkich, cholesterolu i makrofagów, pojawia się w aorcie i tętnicach szyjnych. W tym stadium nie występują zauważalne objawy, ale mogą być dotknięte nim już małe dzieci. 1
  2. Blaszka włóknista – blaszka, składająca się z komórek mięśni gładkich, makrofagów, limfocytów i cholesterolu, tworzy się w wewnętrznej warstwie naczyń krwionośnych. Ta blaszka blokuje przepływ krwi w miarę jej wzrostu. 12
  3. Zmiana powikłana – w tym czasie zmiana pęka, uwalniając cholesterol. Organizm reaguje tworząc skrzepy krwi, które poważnie wpływają na przepływ krwi. 12

Śmierć komórek piankowatych i brak usuwania martwych komórek prowadzą do powstania martwiczego rdzenia wewnątrz blaszki. Zwiększona ekspresja proteaz zarówno przez komórki zrębu, jak i komórki immunologiczne stopniowo osłabia włóknistą pokrywę. Ścieńczenie włóknistej pokrywy ostatecznie prowadzi do pęknięcia blaszki do światła tętnicy z bezpośrednim kontaktem krwi z martwiczym rdzeniem. To wyzwala szybką zakrzepicę w świetle tętnicy, blokadę przepływu krwi (stenozę) i możliwy udar mózgu lub zawał serca. 1

Czynniki przyspieszające progresję miażdżycy

Rozwój miażdżycy może zostać przyspieszony przez: 12

Palenie tytoniu, w jakiejkolwiek formie, jest pojedynczym najważniejszym modyfikowalnym czynnikiem ryzyka progresji miażdżycy. Pacjenci, którzy palą, są znacznie bardziej narażeni na zawał serca, udar mózgu lub amputację, a osoby, które nadal palą, są bardziej zagrożone niż te, które przestały. 12

Powikłania miażdżycy

Miażdżyca może prowadzić do poważnych powikłań zdrowotnych, w tym: 12

  • Zawału serca 12
  • Udaru mózgu 12
  • Otępienia naczyniowego 1
  • Zaburzeń erekcji 1
  • Niewydolności serca 12
  • Utraty kończyny 1
  • Tętniaka (wybrzuszenia w ścianie tętnicy) 12
  • Przewlekłej choroby nerek 12
  • Problemów z krążeniem, które zmniejszają wrażliwość na ciepło i zimno, i mogą prowadzić do gangreny (obumarcia tkanki) 1

Miażdżyca może prowadzić do niepełnosprawności i śmierci. U niektórych osób pierwsze objawy mogą być na tyle poważne, że prowadzą do zgonu. 12

Leczenie i prognoza

Obecnie nie ma leczenia, które mogłoby całkowicie odwrócić miażdżycę, ale wczesna diagnoza i leczenie mogą pomóc spowolnić lub zatrzymać postęp choroby. 12

Leczenie miażdżycy może obejmować: 1

  • Zmiany stylu życia, takie jak zdrowa dieta i więcej ćwiczeń 12
  • Leki, które mogą spowolnić lub nawet odwrócić skutki miażdżycy 1
  • W przypadku poważnego zwężenia tętnicy, może być konieczna procedura lub operacja 1

Badania kliniczne jednoznacznie wykazały, że modulacja stanu zapalnego może zapobiec miażdżycy i jej powikłaniom. Dlatego zaproponowano szereg atrakcyjnych strategii terapeutycznych modulujących stan zapalny w leczeniu miażdżycy, w tym hamowanie prozapalnych cytokin, blokowanie kluczowych szlaków sygnalizacji zapalnej i promowanie rozwiązania stanu zapalnego. 1

Jednym z przykładów leku, który wykazał skuteczność w spowolnieniu progresji miażdżycy, jest rosuwastatyna (Crestor). W badaniu METEOR wykazano, że rosuwastatyna spowolniła progresję blaszek miażdżycowych w 2-letnim badaniu. W porównaniu z wartością wyjściową, ogólnie nie zaobserwowano znaczącej progresji miażdżycy przy stosowaniu rosuwastatyny, podczas gdy w grupie placebo zaobserwowano znaczącą progresję choroby. 1

Z wczesną diagnozą i leczeniem, osoby z miażdżycą mogą nadal prowadzić aktywności, które lubią. Jednak choroba może prowadzić do nagłych stanów medycznych, a nawet być śmiertelna. Dlatego ważne jest, aby znać swoje czynniki ryzyka i współpracować z lekarzem w celu ich obniżenia. 12

Nigdy nie jest za wcześnie na wprowadzenie zdrowych zmian w stylu życia. Zdrowe odżywianie, aktywność fizyczna, więcej ćwiczeń i niepalenie lub nieużywanie e-papierosów to proste sposoby ochrony przed miażdżycą i jej powikłaniami, w tym zawałem serca i udarem mózgu. 12

Kolejne rozdziały

Zapraszamy do dalszego czytania naszego leksykonu.

Wybierz kolejny rozdział z menu poniżej, aby otworzyć nową podstronę kompedium wiedzy i uzyskać szczegółowe informację o leku, substancji lub chorobie.

  1. 10.04.2026
  2. www.leksykon.com.pl

Materiały źródłowe

  • #1 What is Atherosclerosis? | American Heart Association
    https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/atherosclerosis
    Plaque buildup, or fatty deposits, in your arteries is called atherosclerosis. These deposits are made up of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin, a clotting material in the blood. Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis means hardening of the arteries. […] As plaque builds up, the wall of the blood vessel thickens. This narrows the channel within the artery – reducing blood flow. That lessens the amount of oxygen and other nutrients reaching the body. […] Where plaque develops, and the type of artery affected, varies with each person. Plaque may partially or totally block blood flow through large- or medium-sized arteries anywhere in the body, including in the heart, brain, pelvis, legs, arms or kidneys. This can lead to conditions such as:
  • #1 Atherosclerosis – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis is typically asymptomatic for decades because the arteries enlarge at all plaque locations, thus there is no effect on blood flow. […] Even most plaque ruptures do not produce symptoms until enough narrowing or closure of an artery, due to clots, occurs. Signs and symptoms only happen after severe narrowing or closure impedes blood flow to different organs enough to induce symptoms. […] Most of the time, patients realize that they have the disease only when they experience other cardiovascular disorders such as stroke or heart attack. These symptoms, however, still vary depending on which artery or organ is affected. […] Marked narrowing in the coronary arteries, which are responsible for bringing oxygenated blood to the heart, can produce symptoms such as chest pain of angina and shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness, breathlessness or palpitations.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16753-atherosclerosis-arterial-disease
    Atherosclerosis symptoms often don’t start until an artery is very narrow or blocked. Many people don’t know they have plaque buildup until they have a medical emergency like a heart attack or stroke. […] You may notice symptoms of atherosclerosis if your artery is more than 70% blocked. You can have symptoms in different parts of your body, depending on the location of the blockage. […] Atherosclerosis is very common. The complications of plaque buildup (including heart attacks and strokes) are the leading cause of death worldwide. […] Early diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis can help you avoid or delay complications. […] Early diagnosis and treatment can help people with atherosclerosis keep doing the activities they like to do. But the disease can cause medical emergencies and even be fatal. That’s why knowing your risks and working with your healthcare provider to lower them is important.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis – Symptoms | NHLBI, NIH
    https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosis/symptoms
    Early stages of atherosclerosis often do not cause symptoms. […] Symptoms may first appear when you are under physical or emotional stress times when the body needs more oxygen. […] Some people may not notice symptoms until plaque buildup causes serious problems. […] Atherosclerosis reduces the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the tissues and organs of the body. Symptoms can lower your quality of life or lead to death. […] Symptoms depend on which arteries are affected and how much blood flow is blocked. You may not notice symptoms until plaque buildup causes severe problems. […] Some conditions caused by atherosclerosis and their symptoms include the following: […] Coronary heart disease includes symptoms of chest pain (angina), heart palpitations (feeling that your heart is racing), shortness of breath, cold sweats, dizziness, extreme tiredness and weakness, and nausea.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atherosclerosis
    Carotid arteries supply blood to the brain and neck. Marked narrowing of the carotid arteries can present with symptoms such as a feeling of weakness; being unable to think straight; difficulty speaking; dizziness; difficulty in walking or standing up straight; blurred vision; numbness of the face, arms and legs; severe headache; and loss of consciousness. […] Peripheral arteries, which supply blood to the legs, arms, and pelvis, also experience marked narrowing due to plaque rupture and clots. Symptoms of the narrowing are pain and numbness within the arms or legs. […] In 2004, US data indicated that in ~66% of men and ~47% of women, the first symptom of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was a heart attack or sudden cardiac death (defined as death within one hour of onset of the symptom). […] Early atherosclerotic processes likely begin in childhood. Fibrous and gelatinous lesions have been observed in the coronary arteries of children. […] Fatty streaks have been observed in the coronary arteries of juveniles.
  • #1 Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis // Middlesex Health
    https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis
    Mild atherosclerosis usually doesn’t cause symptoms. […] Atherosclerosis symptoms usually don’t happen until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can’t send enough blood to organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely blocks blood flow. The clot may break apart. If this happens, it may cause a heart attack or stroke. […] Symptoms of moderate to severe atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected. For example, if you have atherosclerosis: In your heart arteries, you may have chest pain or pressure, called angina. […] In the arteries leading to your brain, you may have sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, trouble speaking, slurred speech, sudden or temporary loss of vision in one eye, or drooping muscles in your face. These are symptoms of a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Untreated, a TIA can lead to a stroke.
  • #1 Signs and Symptoms
    http://www.cardiosmart.org/topics/atherosclerosis/signs-and-symptoms
    People dont usually feel atherosclerosis early on. Thats because it takes time for the arteries to become narrowed enough to cause poor or disrupted blood flow. As plaque builds up in the arteries, symptoms may develop gradually. […] If an artery especially a major artery becomes narrowed or blocked suddenly, you may have symptoms such as chest pain or a heart attack or stroke. […] The symptoms you experience will depend on which arteries are affected. […] If there is narrowing in the arteries supplying blood to your heart (coronary arteries) you might have: Chest or arm pain, pressure or tightness (angina) Shortness of breath Abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmias) Feeling that you might faint Stomach upset or vomiting. […] Without treatment, it might lead to a heart attack. […] If there is narrowing in the arteries supplying blood to your brain (carotid arteries in your neck) you might have: Weakness or fainting Numbness in the face, arms or legs Confusion Dizziness Sudden and severe headache Trouble speaking.
  • #1 Coronary Atherosclerosis Treatments > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine
    https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/coronary-atherosclerosis-treatments
    Chest pain and shortness of breath while walking are the signature symptoms of coronary atherosclerosis. Unfortunately, in early stages of buildup, patients may not exhibit any symptoms at all, making atherosclerosis difficult to catch. […] Patients, particularly those with other risk factors, should be aware of any new symptoms, especially any pain or shortness of breath that either awakens them from sleep or occurs while they are at rest. More gradual onset can be harder to notice, but people should always mention anything resembling these symptoms to a general practitioner or cardiologist. […] Its important to note that womens symptoms can be quite different from mens. These might include nausea, abdominal pain, and lightheadedness. Because these vary from the typical, male indications, they can end up overlooked.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis – Symptoms | NHLBI, NIH
    https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosis/symptoms
    Peripheral artery disease includes symptoms of pain, aching, heaviness, or cramps in your legs while walking or climbing stairs. […] Vertebral artery disease includes problems with thinking and memory, weakness or numbness on one side of the body or face, and vision trouble. […] Mesenteric artery ischemia of the intestines includes severe belly pain following meals, weight loss, and diarrhea. […] Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an early warning sign that a man may be at higher risk for atherosclerosis and its complications. […] You may not notice other symptoms until plaque buildup causes serious problems. […] Carotid artery disease: Plaque builds up in the arteries of the neck. […] Renal artery stenosis: Using a stethoscope, your provider may hear an abnormal sound, or bruit, in your belly, which is an early sign of renal artery stenosis.
  • #1 Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease | University of Michigan Health
    https://www.uofmhealth.org/conditions-treatments/neurointerventional-radiology/intracranial-atherosclerotic-disease
    Unfortunately, unlike atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries, which often causes transient ischemic attacks (TIA or ministrokes), intracranial atherosclerosis often is only found when a major stroke occurs. Common signs and symptoms of a stroke or TIA may include sudden: […] The patient may also experience sudden loss of consciousness and seizures. […] If you or anyone you know experiences these symptoms, emergency medical care should be sought. It is imperative for the patient to reach the hospital as quickly as possible for certain types of treatments to be successful.
  • #1 Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis // Middlesex Health
    https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis
    In the arteries in your arms and legs, you may have leg pain when walking, called claudication. This is a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD). You also might have lower blood pressure in the affected arm or leg. […] In the arteries leading to your kidneys, you may get high blood pressure or kidney failure.
  • #1 About Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) | Heart Disease | CDC
    https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/peripheral-arterial-disease.html
    The classic symptom of PAD is pain in the legs with physical activity, such as walking, that gets better after rest. However, up to 4 in 10 people with PAD have no leg pain. Symptoms of pain, aches, or cramps with walking (claudication) can happen in the buttock, hip, thigh, or calf. […] Physical signs in the leg that may indicate PAD include: Muscle atrophy (weakness). Hair loss. Smooth, shiny skin. Skin that is cool to the touch, especially if there is pain while walking (that is relieved by stopping walking). Decreased or absent pulses in the feet. Sores or ulcers in the legs or feet that don’t heal. Cold or numb toes. […] If you have symptoms of PAD, your doctor may do an ankle brachial index (ABI). This is a noninvasive test that measures the blood pressure in the ankles and compares it with the blood pressure in the arms at rest and after exercise. […] Your doctor may recommend that you take aspirin or other similar antiplatelet medicines. These medicines could prevent serious complications from PAD and associated atherosclerosis.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis): Causes, symptoms, and more
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247837
    Atherosclerosis usually affects older people, but it can start to develop during adolescence. […] Often, there are no symptoms until a bit of plaque ruptures, or the blood flow becomes restricted. This may take many years to occur. […] The symptoms of atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected. […] Symptoms of stroke can appear suddenly and include: weakness, difficulty breathing, headache, facial numbness, paralysis. […] When the blood supply to the heart falls, it can cause angina and heart attack. […] A person may experience: chest pain, vomiting, extreme anxiety, coughing, faintness. […] If the blood supply becomes limited, chronic kidney disease may develop. […] Someone with renal artery blockage significant enough to cause chronic kidney disease may experience: loss of appetite, swelling of the hands and feet, difficulty concentrating.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine
    https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis in the arteries that supply the kidneys with blood can cause high blood pressure, loss of appetite, fatigue, nausea, confusion, and swelling of the feet or legs. […] Atherosclerosis is a common disease that can lead to cardiovascular disease, stroke, heart attack, and serious other conditions. However, if you have atherosclerosis, there are measures you can take, along with treatments, to slow or stop the progression of the disease.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis Symptoms | Stanford Health Care
    https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/blood-heart-circulation/atherosclerosis/symptoms.html
    Symptoms of atherosclerosis, a heart condition where a substance called plaque builds up in the arteries, may develop gradually. As the plaque builds up, the symptoms begin to develop. Your symptoms may vary, depending on which artery is affected. If a major artery is blocked, you may experience severe symptoms, similar to those of a heart attack or stroke. […] Symptoms of a blockage in these arteries are similar to symptoms of a stroke: Weakness, Paralysis or numbness in the face, arms or legs, Confusion, Breathing problems, Dizziness, Sudden and severe headache. […] Symptoms of a blockage include numbness and pain in those areas. […] Plaque buildup can lead to chronic kidney disease. As kidney disease progresses, symptoms include: Fatigue, Changes in how often you urinate, Loss of appetite, Nausea, Itchiness or numbness.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments
    https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-hub/health-resource/diseases-and-conditions/atherosclerosis
    Mesenteric ischemia: Symptoms include pain after eating, diarrhea, bloating and nausea. […] Peripheral artery disease: Signs often include leg pain when active, aching in the feet, reddening of the skin, sores on the feet, skin issues on the legs and feet. […] Renal artery stenosis: Symptoms may include swelling, high blood pressure, tiredness, headaches, weight loss and nausea. […] Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA): Symptoms include drooping of one side of the face, headache, dizziness, slurred speech, vision loss in one eye or loss of muscle strength in one side of the body. Recognizing the early signs of a stroke is very important as it requires immediate medical attention. […] Carotid artery disease: Often, the first signs are a stroke or TIA.
  • #1
    https://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/heart-vascular/conditions/atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis can begin as early as childhood, and usually progresses more rapidly between ages 40 and 50. By age 60 about 75% of people have some degree of atherosclerosis. […] Recognizing atherosclerosis symptoms is crucial for early intervention and prevention of complications. […] Because plaque and blockages usually build up gradually and painlessly, there usually are no signs of atherosclerosis in the beginning. As atherosclerosis progresses, your signs and symptoms of hardening of the arteries depend on which arteries in your body are affected. […] If atherosclerosis is in the arteries leading to your brain, you may experience a sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, or drooping muscles in your face, which are common atherosclerosis symptoms. […] If atherosclerosis is in your coronary (heart) arteries, you may experience chest pain, shortness of breath or heart attack. […] If atherosclerosis is in your leg arteries, you may feel pain when walking.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis: Stages & Prognosis – Video | Study.com
    https://study.com/academy/lesson/video/atherosclerosis-stages-prognosis.html
    There are three stages of atherosclerosis: fatty streak, fibrous plaque, and complicated lesion. The first stage is the fatty streak, where a yellow streak, composed of smooth muscle cells, cholesterol, and macrophages, appears in the aorta and carotids. No noticeable symptoms appear in this stage, but young children can be affected. […] The second stage is the fibrous plaque. Plaque, composed of smooth muscle cells, macrophages, lymphocytes, and cholesterol, forms in the inner layer of blood vessels. This plaque blocks the blood flow as it grows. […] The third stage is the complicated lesion. This is the time when the lesion breaks out, releasing cholesterol. The body responds by forming blood clots, which severely affect blood flow. […] When blood flow is restricted, the tissues and organs are deprived of oxygen. This condition is called ischemia, and it can lead to the death of cells. Organs like the brain and heart are more at risk from ischemia than the extremities. Prolonged untreated atherosclerosis can cause heart attacks, strokes, and even death.
  • #1 Poster of Atherosclerosis Disease Progression; lipoprot: R&D Systems
    https://www.rndsystems.com/resources/posters/atherosclerosis-disease-progression
    Atherosclerosis is a complex multi-stage disease of the vasculature and begins with damage to the endothelial vessel lining. […] Intimal-medial layer thickening (IMT) of the artery is indicative of atherosclerosis progression. […] Foam cell death and lack of dead cell clearance result in the formation of a necrotic core within the plaque. Increased protease expression by both stromal and immune cells progressively weakens the fibrous cap. Fibrous cap thinning eventually leads to plaque rupture into the arterial lumen with direct exposure of the blood to the necrotic core. This triggers rapid thrombosis in the arterial lumen, blockage of blood flow (stenosis), and possible stroke or myocardial infarction. Alternatively, weakening of the arterial vessel wall contributes to aneurysm formation and potential bleeding into the extravascular space. The development of atherosclerosis is accelerated by a high fat diet, smoking, age, hypertension, and genetic mutations in molecules involved in normal vascular biology.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis Treatment | Slowing Progression | CRESTOR® (rosuvastatin) | For HCPs
    https://www.crestor.com/hcp/crestor-clinical-trials/atherosclerosis
    As an adjunct to diet for your adult patients with hyperlipidemia, CRESTOR (rosuvastatin) is indicated to slow the progression of atherosclerosis at any stage of the disease. […] The progression of atherosclerosis can be accelerated by LDL-C and impacted by additional risk factors, including Diabetes, Family history of early CHD, Smoking, Dyslipidemia, Lack of physical activity, Hypertension, High-fat diet. […] METEOR trial demonstrated the effectiveness of CRESTOR in slowing the progression of atherosclerosis. […] Address plaque head-on CRESTOR was proven to slow plaque progression in a 2-year study. […] Compared to baseline, overall, no significant progression of atherosclerosis was observed with CRESTOR, while significant disease progression was observed with placebo. […] In the METEOR trial, carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) increased in the placebo group but did not change in the CRESTOR group. […] Compared to baseline, overall, no significant progression of atherosclerosis was observed with CRESTOR, while significant disease progression was observed with placebo.
  • #1 Vascular Surgery: Atherosclerosis | GW Medical Faculty Associates
    https://gwdocs.com/specialties/vascular-surgery/atherosclerosis
    Smoking of any sort is the single most important modifiable risk factor for progression of atherosclerosis. […] Patients who smoke are at significantly increased risk of heart attack, stroke or amputation and people who continue to smoke are at higher risk than those who have stopped. […] Abnormally high levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides both increase the risk of atherosclerosis, while higher levels of HDL (good cholesterol) are beneficial. […] The presence of diabetes increases the risk of atherosclerosis. […] High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death. […] There is no direct evidence that obesity itself increases the development of atherosclerosis. […] While you cannot reverse the aging process or choose your parents, there are a number of things that can be done to reduce the risk of progression of atherosclerosis.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis – What Is Atherosclerosis? | NHLBI, NIH
    https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosis
    A decrease in blood flow can lead to symptoms like angina. […] Full or partial blockages can cause heart attack, stroke, vascular dementia, erectile dysfunction, heart failure, or limb loss. […] Atherosclerosis can cause disability and death.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Types | LifeMD
    https://lifemd.com/learn/atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis usually shows no symptoms until its advanced and the arteries are substantially blocked or a blood clot has formed. […] Symptoms can also vary depending on the type of atherosclerosis, but generally include: […] Chest pain or discomfort […] Shortness of breath […] Pain that radiates to the arms, neck, jaw, shoulders, or back […] Fatigue or dizziness […] Sudden numbness in the arms or legs […] Sudden vision problems […] Severe headaches […] Painful leg cramps after walking or climbing stairs […] Changes in the color of the legs […] Sores that wont health on the toes, feet, or legs […] Difficulty speaking […] General confusion. […] Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease, which means it can worsen over time, especially if left untreated. […] As it progresses, atherosclerosis is more likely to cause several serious complications that may include: […] Heart attack […] Stroke […] Chronic kidney disease (CKD) […] Aneurysms. […] Many of these complications can be life-threatening if you dont seek emergency medical care right away.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis Symptoms, Treatment & Causes | Baptist Health
    https://www.baptisthealth.com/care-services/conditions-treatments/atherosclerosis
    Narrowed arteries near the heart may lead to chest pain, heart attack or heart failure. […] Narrowed arteries in your arms or legs may cause circulation problems that make you less sensitive to heat and cold, and can cause gangrene, when tissue dies. […] Narrowed arteries near the brain may cause transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. […] A bulge in the wall of an artery, if it bursts, can cause a slow leak or life-threatening internal bleeding. […] Narrow arteries near the kidneys prevents effective kidney function because your lack of blood flow keeps waste from exiting the body.
  • #1 Atherosclerosis
    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atherosclerosis/
    Atherosclerosis is where your arteries become narrowed, making it difficult for blood to flow through them. It increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. […] You may not have any symptoms of atherosclerosis, but symptoms can include: chest pain, pain in your arms and legs, especially when exercising, feeling short of breath, feeling tired all the time, feeling weak, feeling confused. […] There are currently no treatments to reverse atherosclerosis, but you may be offered medicines to lower your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. […] Without lifestyle changes and medical treatment, atherosclerosis may get worse over time.
  • #1 Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350575
    To diagnose atherosclerosis, your healthcare professional examines you and listens to your heart. You usually are asked questions about your symptoms and your family health history. […] A coronary calcium scan may show coronary artery disease before you have symptoms. […] Treatment of atherosclerosis may include: Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and getting more exercise. […] For some people, lifestyle changes may be the only treatment needed for atherosclerosis. […] Many different medicines can slow or even reverse the effects of atherosclerosis. […] If atherosclerosis causes a severe blockage in an artery, you may need a procedure or surgery to treat it. […] It’s never too early to make healthy lifestyle changes. Eat healthy, be active, get more exercise and don’t smoke or vape. These are simple ways to protect yourself against atherosclerosis and its complications, including heart attack and stroke.
  • #1 Inflammation and atherosclerosis: signaling pathways and therapeutic intervention | Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy
    https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-022-00955-7
    Altogether these observations underscore the diversity of phenotype and functions of immune cells in atherosclerotic plaques and the interplay between systemic immune response and local event at the plaque site acts as drivers of plaque instability. […] Given the relationship between inflammation and atherosclerosis, treatment of atherosclerosis from an inflammatory perspective appears to be a more effective anti-atherosclerotic modality. […] Although no direct evidence supports that selectively intervention of inflammation can improve outcomes in atherosclerosis patients, clinical trials have unequivocally shown that modulation of inflammation can forestall atherosclerosis and its complications. […] Therefore, a gamut of attractive therapeutic strategies for modulation of inflammation has been suggested in the treatment of atherosclerosis, including inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines, blocking key inflammatory signaling pathways, and promoting inflammatory resolution.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis is typically asymptomatic for decades because the arteries enlarge at all plaque locations, thus there is no effect on blood flow. […] Even most plaque ruptures do not produce symptoms until enough narrowing or closure of an artery, due to clots, occurs. Signs and symptoms only happen after severe narrowing or closure impedes blood flow to different organs enough to induce symptoms. […] Most of the time, patients realize that they have the disease only when they experience other cardiovascular disorders such as stroke or heart attack. These symptoms, however, still vary depending on which artery or organ is affected. […] Marked narrowing in the coronary arteries, which are responsible for bringing oxygenated blood to the heart, can produce symptoms such as chest pain of angina and shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness, breathlessness or palpitations.
  • #2 Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis // Middlesex Health
    https://middlesexhealth.org/learning-center/diseases-and-conditions/arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis
    Mild atherosclerosis usually doesn’t cause symptoms. […] Atherosclerosis symptoms usually don’t happen until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can’t send enough blood to organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely blocks blood flow. The clot may break apart. If this happens, it may cause a heart attack or stroke. […] Symptoms of moderate to severe atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected. For example, if you have atherosclerosis: In your heart arteries, you may have chest pain or pressure, called angina. […] In the arteries leading to your brain, you may have sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, trouble speaking, slurred speech, sudden or temporary loss of vision in one eye, or drooping muscles in your face. These are symptoms of a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Untreated, a TIA can lead to a stroke.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis | Arteriosclerosis | MedlinePlus
    https://medlineplus.gov/atherosclerosis.html
    Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Plaque is a sticky substance made up of cholesterol, fat, blood cells, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time, plaque hardens and causes your arteries to narrow. That limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your body. […] In the early stages, atherosclerosis often does not cause any symptoms. You may first notice some symptoms at times when your body needs more oxygen. For example, this could be when you are having physical or emotional stress. […] Your symptoms will depend on which arteries are affected and how much blood flow is blocked: With coronary artery disease, the symptoms may include angina (a type of chest pain), palpitations (racing or pounding heart), and shortness of breath. With carotid artery disease, you may have a bruit. This is a whooshing sound that your health care provider hears when using a stethoscope. You could also have a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini-stroke. With peripheral artery disease, you may have pain, aching, heaviness, or cramping in the legs when walking or climbing stairs. With vertebral artery disease, you may have problems with thinking and memory, weakness or numbness on one side of the body or face, and vision trouble. You could also have a transient ischemic attack. With mesenteric artery ischemia, the symptoms can include severe pain after meals, weight loss, and diarrhea.
  • #2 Diagnosing Atherosclerosis: Warning Signs and Symptoms
    https://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/silent-symptoms-diagnosing-atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis is sneaky. It starts early in life and progresses silently. By the time symptoms occur, its advanced and a serious problem. […] Its important to know that by the time symptoms like these show up, you may already have serious blockages. […] Also, heart attacks and strokes can occur without any warning signs. […] The warning sign for atherosclerosis in the heart is chest pain when youre active, or angina. It’s often described as tightness and usually goes away with rest. Other symptoms may include shortness of breath or fatigue. […] Difficulty speaking and weakness on one side are symptoms of strokes and TIAs. […] Pain in the calf muscles when you walk (your doctor may call it claudication) is the most common symptom. Poor wound healing or fewer pulses in your feet are other signs.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis: Symptoms & Causes | NewYork-Presbyterian
    https://www.nyp.org/heart/atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis, the narrowing of your arteries from plaque development, happens gradually over many years, often without symptoms. […] Early stages of atherosclerosis usually do not cause any symptoms. The plaque develops slowly, and often there may be no symptoms, even at a more advanced stage. […] Symptoms of atherosclerosis depend on the affected artery or arteries and the level of their blockage. […] Atherosclerosis of the heart arteries – chest pain or pressure (angina). […] Atherosclerosis of the arteries leading to the brain – sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, drooping muscles in your face, temporary loss of vision in one eye, difficulty speaking or slurred speech. […] Atherosclerosis in the arms and legs arteries – leg pain or decreased blood pressure in an affected limb. […] Atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to the kidneys – high blood pressure or kidney failure.
  • #2
    https://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/heart-vascular/conditions/atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis can begin as early as childhood, and usually progresses more rapidly between ages 40 and 50. By age 60 about 75% of people have some degree of atherosclerosis. […] Recognizing atherosclerosis symptoms is crucial for early intervention and prevention of complications. […] Because plaque and blockages usually build up gradually and painlessly, there usually are no signs of atherosclerosis in the beginning. As atherosclerosis progresses, your signs and symptoms of hardening of the arteries depend on which arteries in your body are affected. […] If atherosclerosis is in the arteries leading to your brain, you may experience a sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, or drooping muscles in your face, which are common atherosclerosis symptoms. […] If atherosclerosis is in your coronary (heart) arteries, you may experience chest pain, shortness of breath or heart attack. […] If atherosclerosis is in your leg arteries, you may feel pain when walking.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atherosclerosis
    Carotid arteries supply blood to the brain and neck. Marked narrowing of the carotid arteries can present with symptoms such as a feeling of weakness; being unable to think straight; difficulty speaking; dizziness; difficulty in walking or standing up straight; blurred vision; numbness of the face, arms and legs; severe headache; and loss of consciousness. […] Peripheral arteries, which supply blood to the legs, arms, and pelvis, also experience marked narrowing due to plaque rupture and clots. Symptoms of the narrowing are pain and numbness within the arms or legs. […] In 2004, US data indicated that in ~66% of men and ~47% of women, the first symptom of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was a heart attack or sudden cardiac death (defined as death within one hour of onset of the symptom). […] Early atherosclerotic processes likely begin in childhood. Fibrous and gelatinous lesions have been observed in the coronary arteries of children. […] Fatty streaks have been observed in the coronary arteries of juveniles.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis – Symptoms | NHLBI, NIH
    https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosis/symptoms
    Peripheral artery disease includes symptoms of pain, aching, heaviness, or cramps in your legs while walking or climbing stairs. […] Vertebral artery disease includes problems with thinking and memory, weakness or numbness on one side of the body or face, and vision trouble. […] Mesenteric artery ischemia of the intestines includes severe belly pain following meals, weight loss, and diarrhea. […] Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an early warning sign that a man may be at higher risk for atherosclerosis and its complications. […] You may not notice other symptoms until plaque buildup causes serious problems. […] Carotid artery disease: Plaque builds up in the arteries of the neck. […] Renal artery stenosis: Using a stethoscope, your provider may hear an abnormal sound, or bruit, in your belly, which is an early sign of renal artery stenosis.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine
    https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/atherosclerosis
    Symptoms may include chest pain, shortness of breath, numbness or pain in the face and/or limbs […] Atherosclerosis is slow to develop and usually only causes symptoms when it substantially reduces or blocks blood flow. […] Symptoms also vary based on which arteries are involved. […] Atherosclerosis in the arteries that deliver blood to the heart can cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and an irregular heartbeat. […] A blood clot that blocks blood flow to the heart can cause a heart attack. […] Atherosclerosis in the arteries that deliver blood to the brain can cause paralysis in the limbs or face, stroke, confusion, dizziness, weakness, vision problems, breathing problems, headache, and loss of consciousness. […] Atherosclerosis in the arteries that transport blood to the arms, legs, and pelvis can cause pain, numbness, and a tingling sensation.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis | Arteriosclerosis | MedlinePlus
    https://medlineplus.gov/atherosclerosis.html
    For men, erectile dysfunction (ED) is an early warning sign that you may be at higher risk for atherosclerosis and its complications. If you have ED, talk with your provider about your risk of plaque buildup. […] Atherosclerosis can cause other health problems, or complications. For example, if a plaque bursts, a blood clot may form. The clot could block the artery completely or travel to another part of the body. Other possible complications can vary, depending on which arteries are affected. For example, blockages in different parts of the body can lead to complications such as a heart attack, stroke, vascular dementia, or limb loss.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, Diagnosis
    https://www.medicinenet.com/whats_atherosclerosis/article.htm
    Atherosclerosis causes plaque to clog and narrow your arteries over time. […] You may not know you have atherosclerosis until the plaque is so thick that blood cant get through your artery. Clogged arteries in different places in your body will cause different symptoms: […] Heart — chest pain and pressure, which can lead to a heart attack […] Brain — sudden numbness, trouble talking, slurred speech, limb weakness, drooping facial muscles, vision loss (all of which can be signs of a stroke or a transient ischemic attack [TIA], which can lead to a stroke) […] Arm or leg arteries — pain when you walk or use your arms […] Kidneys — high blood pressure, kidney failure.
  • #2 Signs and Symptoms
    http://www.cardiosmart.org/topics/atherosclerosis/signs-and-symptoms
    Without treatment, this might lead to a stroke or mini stroke (transient ischemic attack). […] If there is narrowing in the arteries supplying blood to your legs, arms or pelvis (peripheral) you might have: Pain in the calves or buttock after walking Numbness in the feet or toes. […] Without treatment, it might lead to poor circulation, slow healing of wounds or skin injuries and internal bleeding (abdominal aneurysm). […] If there is narrowing in the arteries supplying blood to your kidneys you might have: Loss of appetite Swelling (edema) in your hands or feet Nausea Fatigue. […] Without treatment, this might lead to kidney disease or kidney failure.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatments
    https://www.clevelandclinicabudhabi.ae/en/health-hub/health-resource/diseases-and-conditions/atherosclerosis
    Mesenteric ischemia: Symptoms include pain after eating, diarrhea, bloating and nausea. […] Peripheral artery disease: Signs often include leg pain when active, aching in the feet, reddening of the skin, sores on the feet, skin issues on the legs and feet. […] Renal artery stenosis: Symptoms may include swelling, high blood pressure, tiredness, headaches, weight loss and nausea. […] Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA): Symptoms include drooping of one side of the face, headache, dizziness, slurred speech, vision loss in one eye or loss of muscle strength in one side of the body. Recognizing the early signs of a stroke is very important as it requires immediate medical attention. […] Carotid artery disease: Often, the first signs are a stroke or TIA.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis Symptoms | Stanford Health Care
    https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/blood-heart-circulation/atherosclerosis/symptoms.html
    Symptoms of atherosclerosis, a heart condition where a substance called plaque builds up in the arteries, may develop gradually. As the plaque builds up, the symptoms begin to develop. Your symptoms may vary, depending on which artery is affected. If a major artery is blocked, you may experience severe symptoms, similar to those of a heart attack or stroke. […] Symptoms of a blockage in these arteries are similar to symptoms of a stroke: Weakness, Paralysis or numbness in the face, arms or legs, Confusion, Breathing problems, Dizziness, Sudden and severe headache. […] Symptoms of a blockage include numbness and pain in those areas. […] Plaque buildup can lead to chronic kidney disease. As kidney disease progresses, symptoms include: Fatigue, Changes in how often you urinate, Loss of appetite, Nausea, Itchiness or numbness.
  • #2 What is Atherosclerosis? Symptoms & Treatment Options
    https://www.myprivia.com/myhealthysteps/services/atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis is a condition also known as hardening of the arteries. This condition is behind a number of serious and sometimes fatal health risks, including heart attack and stroke. Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits, known as plaques, build up in the arteries of your heart and narrow the openings. Once the arteries are blocked, it becomes difficult or even impossible for blood and needed oxygen to flow through to the heart. The lack of blood flow and oxygen damage the heart muscle, kidneys, and other vital organs. […] Atherosclerosis doesnt really have any symptoms in the early stages of the disease. As the disease progresses, symptoms depend on the blood vessels that are affected and may include: Chest pain, Pain in your leg, arm, or other location that has a blocked or partially-blocked artery, Shortness of breath, Fatigue, Confusion, if the blockage affects blood flow to your brain, Muscle weakness in your legs. […] Atherosclerosis has many causes. Its considered a progressive disease, and for some people, it can start as early as childhood. It usually doesnt pose a significant health risk until later in life, usually in your 50s or 60s.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis Guide: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
    https://www.drugs.com/health-guide/atherosclerosis.html
    Atherosclerosis usually doesn’t cause any symptoms until blood supply to an organ is reduced. When this happens, symptoms vary, depending on the specific organ involved: […] Symptoms include the chest pain of angina and shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness or light-headedness, breathlessness or palpitations. […] When atherosclerosis narrows brain arteries, it can cause dizziness or confusion; weakness or paralysis on one side of the body; sudden, severe numbness in any part of the body; visual disturbance, including sudden loss of vision; difficulty walking, including staggering or veering; coordination problems in the arms and hands; and slurred speech or inability to speak. […] When atherosclerosis narrows the arteries to the intestines, there may be dull or cramping pain in the middle of the abdomen, usually beginning 15 to 30 minutes after a meal. Sudden complete blockage of an intestinal artery often causes severe abdominal pain, sometimes with vomiting, bloody stool and abdominal swelling.
  • #2 Subclinical Atherosclerosis Progression in Low-Risk, Middle-Aged Adults: Carotid Leads Femoral in IMT Increase but Not in Plaque Formation
    https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3425/11/9/271
    This study investigated subclinical atherosclerosis progression in low-risk, middle-aged adults (N = 141; a mean age of 49.6 ± 4.7 years) using a 5-year ultrasound follow-up. […] Conclusions: This study demonstrates significant subclinical atherosclerosis progression in low-risk, middle-aged adults over 5 years. Carotid arteries showed a faster progression rate of mean IMT and a higher prevalence of pathological nomogram-based mean IMT compared to the femoral arteries. […] The yearly progression rate of IMT was slower in the femoral region in comparison with the carotids. […] The presence of pathological nomogram-based mean CIMT and FIMT was surprisingly high (mainly carotid), and compared to the beginning of the study, the prevalence was significantly higher by 25.9%. […] The occurrence of carotid plaques is variable in the general population and may be explained by age, CV risk factors, and geographical influence. […] In our study, the occurrence of carotid plaque was slightly higher than femoral plaque, mainly at baseline; the difference practically disappeared at the end of follow-up because of the higher progression rate in the femoral region.
  • #2
    https://www.advocatehealth.com/health-services/advocate-heart-institute/conditions/vascular-disease/atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis symptoms can begin as early as childhood and usually progress more rapidly between ages 40 and 50. […] By age 60 about 75% of people have some degree of atherosclerosis. […] As atherosclerosis progresses, the signs depend on which arteries in your body are clogged. […] If atherosclerosis is in the arteries leading to your brain, you may feel symptoms of atherosclerosis that are similar to stroke, such as a sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs; difficulty speaking or slurred speech; sudden changes in eyesight, dizziness, sudden and severe headache; or drooping muscles in your face. […] If atherosclerosis is in your coronary (heart) arteries, you may experience atherosclerosis symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or heart attack. […] If atherosclerosis is in your intestinal arteries, you may have severe abdominal pain and weight loss. […] If atherosclerosis is in your leg arteries, atherosclerosis symptoms may include pain when walking.
  • #2 Poster of Atherosclerosis Disease Progression; lipoprot: R&D Systems
    https://www.rndsystems.com/resources/posters/atherosclerosis-disease-progression
    Atherosclerosis is a complex multi-stage disease of the vasculature and begins with damage to the endothelial vessel lining. […] Intimal-medial layer thickening (IMT) of the artery is indicative of atherosclerosis progression. […] Foam cell death and lack of dead cell clearance result in the formation of a necrotic core within the plaque. Increased protease expression by both stromal and immune cells progressively weakens the fibrous cap. Fibrous cap thinning eventually leads to plaque rupture into the arterial lumen with direct exposure of the blood to the necrotic core. This triggers rapid thrombosis in the arterial lumen, blockage of blood flow (stenosis), and possible stroke or myocardial infarction. Alternatively, weakening of the arterial vessel wall contributes to aneurysm formation and potential bleeding into the extravascular space. The development of atherosclerosis is accelerated by a high fat diet, smoking, age, hypertension, and genetic mutations in molecules involved in normal vascular biology.
  • #2 Vascular Surgery: Atherosclerosis | GW Medical Faculty Associates
    https://gwdocs.com/specialties/vascular-surgery/atherosclerosis
    Smoking of any sort is the single most important modifiable risk factor for progression of atherosclerosis. […] Patients who smoke are at significantly increased risk of heart attack, stroke or amputation and people who continue to smoke are at higher risk than those who have stopped. […] Abnormally high levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides both increase the risk of atherosclerosis, while higher levels of HDL (good cholesterol) are beneficial. […] The presence of diabetes increases the risk of atherosclerosis. […] High blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and death. […] There is no direct evidence that obesity itself increases the development of atherosclerosis. […] While you cannot reverse the aging process or choose your parents, there are a number of things that can be done to reduce the risk of progression of atherosclerosis.
  • #2 What Are the Signs of Atherosclerosis?
    https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/atherosclerosis-when-it-starts
    Most people dont experience the life-threatening complications of having atherosclerosis hardening of the arteries until they reach middle age. […] The disease tends to be progressive and gets worse with time. […] Atherosclerosis is a complex condition, generally starting early in life and progressing as people get older. […] For some people, the disease advances quickly in their 20s and 30s, while others may not have issues until their 50s or 60s. […] If atherosclerosis has progressed beyond what lifestyle changes can reduce, there are medications and surgical treatments available. […] These are designed to prevent the disease from getting worse and to increase your comfort, particularly if youre having chest or leg pain as a symptom. […] Healthy dietary changes, stopping smoking, and exercise can be powerful weapons against high blood pressure and high cholesterol, two major contributors to atherosclerosis. […] Physical activity helps you lose weight, maintain a normal blood pressure, and boosts your good cholesterol (HDL) levels. […] These habits are best to start early in life, but theyre beneficial no matter how old you are.
  • #2 What is Atherosclerosis? | American Heart Association
    https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) involves plaque buildup in artery walls, which includes conditions such as acute coronary syndrome and peripheral artery disease, and can cause a heart attack, stable or unstable angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA) or aortic aneurysm. […] Atherosclerosis is a slow, lifelong progression of changes in the blood vessels that may start in childhood and get worse faster as you age. […] Many scientists believe plaque begins when an artery’s inner lining becomes damaged. […] Smoking plays a big role in the progression of atherosclerosis in the aorta (the body’s main artery), coronary arteries and arteries in the legs. Smoking makes fatty deposits more likely to form, and it speeds up the growth of plaque.
  • #2 Arteriosclerosis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24870-arteriosclerosis
    Arteriosclerosis usually doesn’t cause symptoms until it leads to complications. Symptoms vary widely depending on the problem and can include: […] Arteriosclerosis is a gradual process that occurs over many years. It can be dangerous because it develops silently. You may have no symptoms for a long time until the hardening of your arteries leads to complications. […] Arteriosclerosis disrupts normal blood flow through your body. When your arteries are too stiff, it’s harder for oxygen and nutrients to reach your organs and tissues. Therefore, hardening of the arteries can lead to complications, including: […] It’s possible to have more than one type of arteriosclerosis, and their combined effects can make problems occur sooner than usual. […] Arteriosclerosis can lead to life-threatening complications. But with early diagnosis and treatment, it’s possible to manage your condition and live a long, healthy life.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis: Symptoms, Causes, and Types | LifeMD
    https://lifemd.com/learn/atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis usually shows no symptoms until its advanced and the arteries are substantially blocked or a blood clot has formed. […] Symptoms can also vary depending on the type of atherosclerosis, but generally include: […] Chest pain or discomfort […] Shortness of breath […] Pain that radiates to the arms, neck, jaw, shoulders, or back […] Fatigue or dizziness […] Sudden numbness in the arms or legs […] Sudden vision problems […] Severe headaches […] Painful leg cramps after walking or climbing stairs […] Changes in the color of the legs […] Sores that wont health on the toes, feet, or legs […] Difficulty speaking […] General confusion. […] Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease, which means it can worsen over time, especially if left untreated. […] As it progresses, atherosclerosis is more likely to cause several serious complications that may include: […] Heart attack […] Stroke […] Chronic kidney disease (CKD) […] Aneurysms. […] Many of these complications can be life-threatening if you dont seek emergency medical care right away.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis Symptoms, Treatment & Causes | Baptist Health
    https://www.baptisthealth.com/care-services/conditions-treatments/atherosclerosis
    Narrowed arteries near the heart may lead to chest pain, heart attack or heart failure. […] Narrowed arteries in your arms or legs may cause circulation problems that make you less sensitive to heat and cold, and can cause gangrene, when tissue dies. […] Narrowed arteries near the brain may cause transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. […] A bulge in the wall of an artery, if it bursts, can cause a slow leak or life-threatening internal bleeding. […] Narrow arteries near the kidneys prevents effective kidney function because your lack of blood flow keeps waste from exiting the body.
  • #2 Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350575
    To diagnose atherosclerosis, your healthcare professional examines you and listens to your heart. You usually are asked questions about your symptoms and your family health history. […] A coronary calcium scan may show coronary artery disease before you have symptoms. […] Treatment of atherosclerosis may include: Lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and getting more exercise. […] For some people, lifestyle changes may be the only treatment needed for atherosclerosis. […] Many different medicines can slow or even reverse the effects of atherosclerosis. […] If atherosclerosis causes a severe blockage in an artery, you may need a procedure or surgery to treat it. […] It’s never too early to make healthy lifestyle changes. Eat healthy, be active, get more exercise and don’t smoke or vape. These are simple ways to protect yourself against atherosclerosis and its complications, including heart attack and stroke.
  • #2 Atherosclerosis: Stages & Prognosis – Video | Study.com
    https://study.com/academy/lesson/video/atherosclerosis-stages-prognosis.html
    Atherosclerosis can be managed through lifestyle changes. Foods high in cholesterol should be avoided because they can accumulate in blood vessels. Regular exercise, together with a healthy diet, can help prevent atherosclerosis. The health of your heart and blood circulation is improved through exercise. If you are smoking, it is best to quit to avoid clogged arteries. Atherosclerosis remains a health issue despite available medications and procedures.
  • #3 Atherosclerosis – Symptoms | NHLBI, NIH
    https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/atherosclerosis/symptoms
    Early stages of atherosclerosis often do not cause symptoms. […] Symptoms may first appear when you are under physical or emotional stress times when the body needs more oxygen. […] Some people may not notice symptoms until plaque buildup causes serious problems. […] Atherosclerosis reduces the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the tissues and organs of the body. Symptoms can lower your quality of life or lead to death. […] Symptoms depend on which arteries are affected and how much blood flow is blocked. You may not notice symptoms until plaque buildup causes severe problems. […] Some conditions caused by atherosclerosis and their symptoms include the following: […] Coronary heart disease includes symptoms of chest pain (angina), heart palpitations (feeling that your heart is racing), shortness of breath, cold sweats, dizziness, extreme tiredness and weakness, and nausea.
  • #3 Atherosclerosis – Wikipedia
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atherosclerosis
    Atherosclerosis is typically asymptomatic for decades because the arteries enlarge at all plaque locations, thus there is no effect on blood flow. […] Even most plaque ruptures do not produce symptoms until enough narrowing or closure of an artery, due to clots, occurs. Signs and symptoms only happen after severe narrowing or closure impedes blood flow to different organs enough to induce symptoms. […] Most of the time, patients realize that they have the disease only when they experience other cardiovascular disorders such as stroke or heart attack. These symptoms, however, still vary depending on which artery or organ is affected. […] Marked narrowing in the coronary arteries, which are responsible for bringing oxygenated blood to the heart, can produce symptoms such as chest pain of angina and shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness or lightheadedness, breathlessness or palpitations.