What is arteriosclerosis?
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Arterioslcerosis is a chronic disease characterized by abnormal thickening and hardening of the arterial walls with resulting loss of elasticity. Also called “hardening of the arteries,” it often shows its effects first in the legs and the feet. When it affects the arteries of the heart and the blood flow is severely restricted, it leads to chest pain. Untreated, this can lead to heart disease and/or a heart attack. A common disorder, arteriosclerosis usually affects men more than 50 years old.How does arteriosclerosis develop?
Arteriosclerosis, sometimes also referred to as atherosclerosis, occurs when the fatty material deposited along the walls of arteries thickens and hardens, sometimes to the point of blocking the arteries, with very serious consequences. Calcium deposits in the walls of the arteries can contribute to the thickening and hardening. As a result, these “hardened” arteries are less elastic and cannot properly dilate, or get wider, in response to a need for greater blood flow such as during exercise. In addition, the build-up in the arteries actually decreases blood flow to the affected areas, which can injure nerves and other tissues. The built-up fatty tissue, also referred to as plaques, can also rupture and lead to a heart attack or stroke “downstream.” Clots can also form around these plaques, further restricting blood flow and posing the danger of breaking off and traveling to the heart, lungs or brain, again with potentially serious consequences.Individuals with a higher risk for arteriosclerosis include those who have a personal or family history of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood cholesterol, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, or kidney disease involving hemodialysis.
What are the symptoms of arteriosclerosis?
In general, arterioslcerosis usually shows no symptoms until the blood flow in a vessel has become extremely compromised. Typical symptoms include chest pain when a coronary artery is involved and leg pain when a leg artery is involved. Although symptoms usually occur only with exertion, some individuals may also experience them at rest.Conventional medical treatments may help relieve the symptoms of arteriosclerosis, but they do not address the root of the problem. By addressing the underlying physiology of the condition, as natural medicine treatments do, arteriosclerosis may be stopped and possibly even reversed.
Discover why we believe that natural medicine treatments are the best way to treat arteriosclerosis.
