Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the arteries get thick or hard due to plaque buildup in the inner lining of the artery. This plaque is made up of substances like cholesterol, fibrin, calcium, fatty substances, and also cellular waste products. This condition develops slowly and gradually in the body and can even start in childhood. Here are some things to know about this health condition and ways to prevent, manage, and treat it.

Causes and risk factors
There is still some uncertainty in knowing the exact cause of this disease, even though it is known that the gradual plaque buildup causes the complications. There are some risk factors for developing this disease, though, and these include conditions like high blood pressure, type 1 diabetes, physical inactivity, high cholesterol levels or high triglyceride levels, and regular consumption of high saturated fat meals.

Signs and symptoms
The symptoms are often overlooked till the condition has already progressed, and this is because the buildup of plaque happens gradually over time. However, the signs to look out for also depend on which artery is affected by the buildup.

If the heart arteries are blocked, it can lead to chest pain or pressure.

Arteries leading to the brain can show symptoms like sudden numbness in legs and arms, temporary loss of vision, difficulty speaking, and drooping facial muscles. These symptoms are called transient ischemic attacks, which can lead to a stroke if left untreated.

Arteries leading to arms and legs show symptoms like leg pain while walking and decreased blood pressure in the affected limb.

If the arteries that lead to the kidneys are blocked, it can result in symptoms such as high blood pressure and kidney problems, and an increased risk of kidney failure.

If one is experiencing chest pain, leg numbness, or pain, it is important to seek a health professional’s diagnosis and help.

Treatment options
For treatment and management, the doctor suggests many lifestyle changes to help with the treatment and recovery process. In some cases, just these lifestyle changes may clear up the plaque buildup; in other cases, specific treatment therapies are needed to get results. These therapies can include using methods to help slow down or even reverse the effects of atherosclerosis.

In other cases, surgery and other similar procedures are suggested when the condition is too severe and needs a more aggressive intervention.

Angioplasty stent placement
This procedure helps to open up a clogged or blocked artery. The process involves inserting a long and thin tube in the blood vessel. There is a balloon at the end of the tip of the tube, which is then inflated to help open up the artery, and then a mesh tube called a stent is used to keep the artery open.

Endarterectomy
This type of surgery removes the plaque from the artery, which has narrowed due to the buildup.

Fibrinolytic
If a clot in the artery blocks blood flow, a fibrinolytic procedure may help dissolve the clot and restore blood flow. This treatment method can be effective in opening up the blocked artery.

Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG)
In this procedure, a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body is taken to create a new path for the blood from the heart. This form of open heart surgery is typically only performed as a last resort when there are many narrowed heart arteries.