Narrowed arteries (atherosclerosis)
Atherosclerosis is the phenomenon in which a fatty substance (cholesterol) is deposited on the inside of the vessel wall. Over time the fat accumulates and the diameter of the vessel wall becomes smaller. This fatty substance is known in the medical world as atheromatous plaque. If these plaques become cracked, a blood clot can form which could block the whole artery.
Places where arteries commonly become narrowed and how they are treated
Since the arteries become progressively narrower, the blood flow is reduced, resulting in the conditions mentioned below:
- Narrowed arteries in the lower limbs
- Narrowed arteries in the neck (carotid)
- Narrowed arteries to the stomach and intestines
- Narrowed arteries to the kidneys
Reducing the risk of narrowed arteries
Atherosclerosis can be caused by many different things. There are some causes that you cannot do anything about:
- Ageing
- Sex (atherosclerosis can occur at a younger age in men)
- Family tendency
A healthy lifestyle allows you to reduce the number of causative factors and reduce the risk of arterial diseases:
Keep your cholesterol in check
Cholesterol is necessary for our bodies and it is made in the liver, but we also consume it in our diet. There is good and bad cholesterol. Bad cholesterol sticks to the vessel wall and causes it to become narrowed. Cholesterol levels are measured by a blood test.
Avoid high blood pressure
When people have high blood pressure the heart has to pump harder to move blood around the body. As a result the walls of the blood vessels can be damaged.
Stop smoking
Smoking is not only bad for the lungs, it can also cause serious heart and vascular diseases (as well as other problems). Smoking causes arteries to become narrowed and consequently reduces the supply of blood to the heart. Smokers are at three times higher risk of a heart attack than non-smokers.
Stick to a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise
A healthy, balanced diet and plenty of physical exercise help the heart to stay young and healthy and considerably reduce the risk of diabetes. Diabetes inevitably results in damage to blood vessel walls.