Warning signs of illness, symptoms of pathology, risk factors, and lifestyle changes: discover how to live longer with HouseWife.
Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries characterized by the buildup of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels. These plaques gradually increase in size and can lead to hardening and loss of elasticity in the vessels. This disrupts normal blood circulation and can result in the formation of blood clots, which can block vessels and cause a heart attack or other cardiovascular incidents. Risk factors for developing atherosclerosis include high cholesterol levels, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and a sedentary lifestyle. Prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis involve dietary changes, physical activity, and medication as prescribed by a doctor.
Atherosclerosis – Symptoms
Cold hands and feet, bluish-pale skin, frequent heart problems, memory decline, poor concentration, fatigue, and irritability. These are visible signs of atherosclerosis or age-related wear and tear on blood vessels.
In the early stages, atherosclerosis often progresses without symptoms. The most pronounced manifestations occur in the peripheral vessels of the lower limbs. Suddenly, the disease announces itself with pain in the legs and the onset of claudication. Muscle pain and cramps occur during physical exertion or movement, but rest alleviates the discomfort.
The affected area is typically where an artery is blocked or narrowed, usually in the calf. As the disease progresses, the pain intensifies: spasms persist even in a relaxed state, such as lying in bed. In such cases, elevating the leg can help: get out of bed and take a few steps.
Symptoms of Atherosclerosis in the Lower Limbs:
- Feeling of heaviness in the legs;
- Weakness or numbness in the legs;
- Difficulties in movement;
- Shiny and unnatural skin color;
- Painful cramps in the calves and thighs;
- Coldness in the foot and lower part of one limb;
- Slow healing of wounds on the calf, foot, and toes;
- Hair loss and cessation of hair growth on the legs;
- Slow nail growth;
- Poor pulse detection in the legs;
- Weak erection.
If you notice a “marbled” pattern on your skin, coldness in your feet and hands (especially on one side), tingling, burning, numbness, cramps, and pain, you should consult a vascular surgeon to measure the ankle-brachial index and compare blood pressure in both arms (the difference will help in diagnosis).
The specialist will check the pulse in the foot and below the knees, palpate and listen to the cervical, femoral, and inguinal arteries, and examine the abdomen and supraclavicular area. If necessary, laboratory screening of lipid balance and assessment of organ condition will be prescribed.
Due to metabolic disturbances, the deposition of fats and calcium on the walls causes vessels to gradually lose flexibility, becoming hard and narrowed. Eventually, blood flow to organs decreases, leading to a tendency for ischemic damage and thrombosis when a cholesterol plaque critically obstructs the vessel’s lumen. This can ultimately result in claudication, stroke, or myocardial infarction. It is one of the most insidious diseases that poses a catastrophic threat, so alarming symptoms should not be ignored.
Atherosclerosis – Causes
Warning signs of atherosclerosis can include high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels (which promote plaque growth that obstructs blood flow), and diabetes. The latter accelerates the development of atherosclerosis by 20 years. The likelihood of vascular pathology in diabetics is 80%.
Risk factors include age, genetics, harmful habits, unhealthy diet, excess weight, and gender vulnerability.
Excess Weight
This is one of the main causes of the condition, as extra pounds can lead to diabetes. Weight is considered excessive if the body mass index exceeds 30. Obesity, combined with a sedentary lifestyle, increases the burden on the legs.
Diet
Fast food, red meat, salt, and foods containing “bad” cholesterol must be ruthlessly eliminated from the diet of anyone wishing to live a long life.
Genetics
Natural predisposition is a hidden threat of atherosclerosis that can be countered with a healthy lifestyle.
Harmful Habits
Smoking is undoubtedly toxic to the body. Moderate alcohol consumption (50g of vodka, 100g of wine, or 0.5L of beer per day) is related to the prevention of atherosclerosis, although the same regular dose can contribute to liver cirrhosis. Excessive drinking accelerates the development of vascular pathology. Doctors identify smoking and alcohol abuse as primary triggers for sudden and prolonged narrowing of blood vessels. Severe consequences can include irreversible damage to the arteries and aorta.
Gender
Men are more prone to developing atherosclerosis compared to women. The first warning signs in men may appear from age 45, while in women, they typically emerge from age 55. This is related to the more active involvement of estrogens and low-density and very low-density lipoproteins in cholesterol metabolism.
Age
The formation of atherosclerosis begins at ages 10-15. Throughout life, this natural process can slow down or speed up. With age, atherosclerotic manifestations intensify.
Prevention of Atherosclerosis
If you are older than middle age, follow these guidelines:
- Quit smoking and moderate your alcohol consumption;
- Monitor your blood pressure (it should not exceed 140/90 mmHg);
- Keep an eye on your weight – atherosclerosis prevention involves maintaining normal parameters;
- Eat timely and properly (diversify your diet with plenty of fruits, berries, and vegetables; reduce intake of animal fats, cholesterol-rich foods, strong meat broths, coffee, and salt);
- Lead an active lifestyle, exercise regularly, and try to move more: the enemy of blood vessels is physical inactivity;
- Avoid overloading your nervous system with excessive demands, negative emotions, poor sleep, and neglecting work-rest balance;
- Regularly undergo preventive check-ups with an endocrinologist, ophthalmologist, nephrologist, and vascular surgeon.
After age 50, you should have a complete blood count twice a year. The goal of regular doctor visits is to check cholesterol levels and conduct blood sugar tests.
Necessary Examinations:
- Electrocardiogram;
- Ultrasound of the aorta;
- Coronary angiography;
- Angiography;
- Aortography;
- X-ray;
- Ultrasound of the renal vessels.
In the early stages of atherosclerosis, medicine has effective conservative treatment options available, including medications that normalize blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, and prevent thrombosis. Medication therapy with statins can halt the progression of plaques. With timely treatment, the pathological process of atherosclerosis can be reversed through lifestyle changes.
Healthy Diet
Changing your diet for atherosclerosis depends on your weight. If you have excess pounds, you should limit your caloric intake to 2000 kcal per day. The first breakfast should not exceed 300–500 kcal (buckwheat without milk or oil, low-fat cheese, and a cup of green tea), and the second morning meal should be up to 200 kcal (an apple).
Prohibited Foods:
- Baked goods;
- Fatty meats and rich broths;
- Offal (skin of poultry, liver, kidneys, brains);
- Pâtés, sausages, lard;
- Margarine, butter, animal fats;
- Cheese with 30% fat, sour cream, cream, whole and condensed milk;
- Sugar.
Beneficial Foods and Drinks
- Walnuts and pistachios (strengthen the cardiovascular system, normalize blood sugar and cholesterol levels);
- Onions and garlic (nitric oxide lowers blood pressure and prevents atherosclerosis);
- Tomatoes, bananas, avocados (vegetables or fruits rich in potassium protect arteries from calcification);
- Foods rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene (citrus fruits, black currants, carrots, peaches, melons, sweet peppers, zucchini, cauliflower, and fermented cabbage, parsley, dill, spinach, lettuce);
- Buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, lentils;
- Cheese (up to 100g per day, every other day – a source of “good” cholesterol that improves well-being);
- Protein-rich foods (seafood, lean fish, and dietary meats: rabbit, chicken, veal, turkey);
- Green tea (activates fat burning and cholesterol elimination, reduces weight, normalizes blood pressure, promotes vessel elasticity, removes salts, prevents liver obesity and aging);
- Kefir with 2.5-3.2% fat (prevents deposits on blood vessels);
- Red and white dry wines (dissolve cholesterol plaques);
- Cocoa (reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease).
Atherosclerosis recedes with a balanced diet high in fiber. Regular intake of niacin, retinol (vitamin A), B vitamins, E, D3, ascorbic acid, and folic acid is essential.
Treating Atherosclerosis of the Lower Limbs at Home
Since this chronic disease is based on disrupted lipid metabolism, assistance should focus on regulating metabolism and fat breakdown. Folk remedies with proven effectiveness dissolve cholesterol plugs and strengthen vessel walls.
Healers emphasize the use of lemon juice with vegetable oils (flaxseed and olive) in home treatment. Chicory and dandelion roots are used to improve blood circulation. Meadowsweet and couch grass can be adapted in home therapy to strengthen vessel walls. Medicinal plants with blood-cleansing properties include nettle, dandelion, birch leaves, cranberry, and strawberry. In folk medicine, juniper, mint, lavender, and caraway essential oils, garlic tincture, honey mixtures, and decoctions of hawthorn and tansy flowers are used. A proportional herbal collection offers hope for improvement in non-advanced atherosclerosis, but consulting a doctor before using herbs is essential.
The danger of uncontrolled herbal treatment lies in the potential loss of precious time. Atherosclerosis has become a common cause of mortality and disability in the modern world. This issue affects one in ten people globally, and in retirement age, the disease inevitably catches up with everyone. Half of patients with peripheral vascular pathology cannot avoid the threat of gangrene and limb amputation, and unfortunately, a quarter of patients die prematurely. Early initiation of qualified treatment will enhance quality of life and increase survival chances at any age.