Athersclerosis of coronary vessels, aorta, vessels of lower extremities, renal arteries, cerebral atherosclerosis - symptoms, treatment and profile

Cardiological diseases in recent decades habitually occupy a leading position among the most common pathologies. The main cause of the development of many diseases of the heart and blood vessels is an increase in the cholesterol in the blood, which leads to the development of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a chronic arterial disease characterized by the deposition of lipoproteins and cholesterol on the inner wall, followed by the formation of connective tissue with fibrotic plaques, ulceration, thrombosis and calcification.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis

When atherosclerosis is often observed the prevalence of the lesion of a particular group of vessels. In accordance with this, clinically distinguish atherosclerosis of the blood vessels of the heart, atherosclerosis of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, large arteries of the lower limbs, arteries of the kidneys, atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels. Symptoms of diseases will, of course, be different.

When the coronary vessels are damaged, the blood circulation of the heart muscle worsens, IHD develops, which is manifested by angina or myocardial infarction.

Atherosclerosis of the kidney vessels provokes the development of chronic pyelo- or glomerulonephritis, which is manifested by the appearance of puffiness, increased arterial pressure, pathological changes in urinalysis.

Atherosclerotic lesions of large arterial vessels of the legs lead to pain in the legs during walking, passing at rest, numbness, a feeling of coldness in the legs.

If the clinical picture is dominated by atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, the symptoms of the disease are associated with impaired blood circulation of brain tissue. Patients complain of frequent dizziness, memory impairment, insomnia, fatigue, headache, noise in the head.

Differentiate atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, the symptoms of which can occur in other diseases, it is quite difficult and this is only possible for an experienced doctor. Cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels provokes the development of various complications of the disease, the most serious of which is a stroke.

Treatment of atherosclerosis

Treatment of patients with manifestations of atherosclerosis should start with recommendations for diet. The diet is prescribed to reduce the level of atherogenic lipids causing an increase in the level of cholesterol in the body, which is determined by the analysis of blood.

To do this, it is recommended to sharply reduce the intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids contained in various animal fats, sour cream, cream, butter, egg yolks, cheese. In addition to these restrictions, you should increase the use of foods that contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, fiber and complex carbohydrates. It is necessary to replace animal fat with vegetable oils when cooking food, and reduce the intake of table salt.

Treatment of atherosclerosis with pharmaceutical drugs should be used only if dietary recommendations are ineffective for several months. If diet therapy is not enough, the purpose of drugs that help reduce lipid levels in the blood is indicated. Such drugs are called hypolipidemic. This group of drugs includes statins, drugs - derivatives of fibrolic acid, sequestrants of acids contained in bile, nicotinic acid.

The best effect in the treatment of atherosclerosis is the use of statins. Lipid-lowering drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis patients who are prone to the development of this disease, must take throughout life.

Atherosclerosis of any localization, including atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, whose symptoms are prone to gradual progression, is easier to prevent than treat. Prevention of the disease is a balanced diet, sufficient physical activity, fighting obesity. After the age of 30, it is mandatory to control the level of lipids and cholesterol in the blood.