Main
- Atherosclerosis develops unnoticed for a long time: the condition is judged by examination, not by how you feel, because complaints appear when the narrowing is pronounced.
- A cardiologist manages the condition: if the vessels of the legs or neck are affected, a vascular surgeon is involved; you can start with a general practitioner.
- Examination includes a blood test for lipids and glucose, blood pressure measurement, ultrasound of the vessels, ECG and angiography.
- Call an ambulance urgently for sudden severe chest pain, weakness or numbness of the arm, impaired speech and vision.
- Blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar and body weight are kept under control, and doctor's visits are not missed.
What is atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the gradual deposition of fatty and other substances in the walls of the arteries, as a result of which the vessels lose their elasticity and narrow. Blood flow through such vessels becomes difficult, and the organs receive less oxygen and nutrients.
What happens in the body
Atherosclerosis begins with damage to the inner lining of the artery, and dense plaques gradually accumulate at this site. At first, such changes are almost imperceptible, because the lumen of the vessel remains wide enough for blood flow. Over time, the plaque grows and increasingly narrows the artery, and the vessel wall loses its former elasticity. Because of the narrowing, blood flow through the artery becomes difficult, and the tissues begin to receive less oxygen and nutrients. The organ that is supplied by this artery is forced to work under conditions of resource shortage and gradually loses its capabilities. The longer the process lasts, the denser the deposits become and the more noticeable the narrowing of the vessel lumen. That is why it is important to notice in time the factors that accelerate plaque deposition and to discuss them with a doctor.
What causes it to develop
- Elevated blood cholesterol levels: excess fatty substances are deposited in the artery wall, triggering plaque growth.
- High blood pressure: constant tension damages the inner lining of the vessels and makes it easier for dense substances to be deposited.
- Smoking: components of tobacco smoke damage the walls of the arteries and accelerate the appearance and growth of plaques.
- Diabetes mellitus: elevated glucose levels change the state of the vascular wall and contribute to faster narrowing of the arteries.
- Excess body weight and physical inactivity: the combination of these circumstances increases the load on the vessels and on metabolism as a whole.
- Hereditary predisposition: if close relatives have had similar changes in the vessels, the risk is higher, and this should be mentioned to a doctor.
Who encounters this more often
Atherosclerosis is more often detected in older people, but its first changes in the vessels may appear much earlier. In men, deposits in the arteries are often found at a younger age than in women, which is linked to metabolic characteristics. After the onset of menopause, the risk in women increases noticeably and gradually becomes equal to that in men. Heredity also plays a role: if parents or close relatives have had problems with the vessels, the likelihood is higher. The combination of several causes at once — high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, excess body weight — accelerates the process more strongly than each factor separately. That is why people with such characteristics should pay closer attention to the state of their vessels and regularly discuss it with a doctor.
What symptoms can occur?
Atherosclerosis can go unnoticed for a long time, and symptoms appear when the vessel lumen narrows noticeably. It is important to notice the signs of insufficient blood supply in time and to understand when urgent help is needed.
How it is noticed at the very beginning
Atherosclerosis is often discovered by chance during an examination, because changes in the vessels do not manifest themselves for a long time. The first signs are usually attributed to fatigue or age, rather than to the condition of the vessels. A person begins to tire more quickly with their usual exertion, although previously they coped with it easily. Shortness of breath appears when climbing stairs or walking quickly, which is put down to a lack of fitness. The hands and feet become colder, and sometimes numbness occurs for no apparent reason. When walking, pain appears in the legs, which goes away if you stop and rest. Such signs should be remembered and discussed with a doctor at a routine appointment, without waiting for them to worsen.
Signs that occur most often
- Pain or tightness in the chest on exertion: occurs due to insufficient blood supply to the heart, so it requires a doctor's attention.
- Shortness of breath and reduced endurance: appear with usual exertion that the person previously coped with without difficulty.
- Coldness and numbness of the feet or hands: indicate that blood reaches the limbs less well.
- Pain in the legs when walking, which goes away at rest: forces you to stop after equal stretches of the route.
- Dizziness and unsteadiness when walking: may indicate insufficient blood supply to the brain.
- Worsening of memory and attention in old age: relatives notice this earlier than the person themselves, and it is worth telling the doctor about it.
When to seek help urgently
Examinations and tests
Examinations for atherosclerosis are needed to assess the condition of the arteries and risk factors. The doctor begins with a history and examination, and then orders laboratory and instrumental tests.
How the examination begins
The first appointment begins with questions about complaints, past illnesses and lifestyle. The doctor clarifies which conditions are troubling the person and how long ago they appeared. Then they measure blood pressure and examine the vessels accessible for examination. These steps help to understand the overall picture and see which risk factors require attention. Based on their results, the doctor decides which laboratory and instrumental tests are needed in a particular case. This order helps to avoid ordering unnecessary procedures and to focus on what matters most. If the person already has the results of previous examinations, they should bring them to the appointment.
What is ordered and what it shows
What to prepare for the appointment
- Discharge summaries from the medical history: they show which illnesses and conditions have already been recorded in your case previously.
- Results of previous tests: from them the doctor can see how the readings have changed over time and what is worth rechecking.
- Records of blood pressure: home measurements help to understand how blood pressure behaves outside the doctor's office.
- A list of the medicines you take: it is important to list everything you take regularly, including what another doctor has prescribed.
- Observations about how you feel: note under what circumstances the unpleasant sensations appear and how often this happens.
- Questions for the doctor: questions written down in advance help you not to forget anything important and to get clear answers at the appointment.
Which doctor should I see?
If atherosclerosis is suspected, it is important to understand which doctor to see and how care is organised. Below — about the specialists, areas of treatment and the part of the result that depends on the regularity of follow-up.
Which specialist manages this condition
Atherosclerosis is managed by a cardiologist, and if the vessels of the legs or neck are affected, a vascular surgeon is involved. If there is no specialist nearby, you can start with a general practitioner: they will assess the complaints and refer you further. The cardiologist looks at the work of the heart and vessels, the vascular surgeon — at the patency of the arteries and the risk of their blockage. The general practitioner provides general follow-up and monitors blood pressure and cholesterol levels. At the first appointment, the doctor clarifies the complaints, collects a history of relatives' illnesses and measures blood pressure. Then they prescribe examinations to understand which vessels are affected and to what extent. If there are no complaints but there are risk factors, the general practitioner will still refer you to a cardiologist for assessment. Book an appointment with the specialist you have been referred to — this way the care will be consistent.
What treatment consists of
- Selection of therapy by the doctor: the specialist chooses the areas of care taking into account the affected vessels and concomitant diseases, so the approach is always individual.
- Correction of lifestyle and diet: changes in diet and habits support the work of the vessels and help slow down the process, but require consistency.
- Monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol levels: regular measurements show how the process is progressing and allow the doctor to change the follow-up tactics in time.
- Follow-up with a specialist: repeat appointments are needed to monitor the condition of the vessels and reduce the risk of complications at an early stage.
- Surgery or procedure when indicated: if the lumen of the vessel is significantly narrowed, the doctor discusses restoring blood flow surgically.
What depends on the patient themselves
The regularity of follow-up with a specialist is the part of the result that rests on the patient themselves. You need to come to appointments within the timeframes set by the doctor, and not only when complaints appear. Home monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol levels gives the doctor a picture over time, rather than a single isolated reading. Changes in diet and habits work only with consistency: one-off measures do not affect the process. If a person misses appointments or cancels prescriptions on their own, the doctor loses the ability to notice a deterioration in time. Records of measurements and questions written down in advance make the appointment more substantive and shorter. A missed appointment is not a pause in follow-up, but a loss of time during which the condition may change. Keep all prescriptions and visit dates in one place so that nothing slips out of sight.
What helps prevent an exacerbation?
Prevention of atherosclerosis largely depends on a person's everyday decisions. Regular monitoring of indicators and visits to the doctor help to notice changes in time, even if you feel well.
What to change in your habits
Giving up smoking is one of the main measures that reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and its exacerbations. Regular physical activity within your capabilities supports the work of the heart and blood vessels, while a diet with limited saturated fats and salt reduces the burden on the body. Monitoring body weight helps to avoid excess weight, which is often accompanied by raised blood pressure and metabolic disorders. A hereditary predisposition makes these habits especially important, since the risk is higher from birth. A balanced diet and movement noticeably improve how you feel and your tolerance of exertion. Giving up smoking and reducing salt in the diet lower the likelihood of sharp jumps in blood pressure. It is worth discussing with your doctor which changes will suit you specifically, and introducing them gradually.
What should be kept under control
- Blood pressure: it is measured regularly, because a persistent rise remains unnoticed for a long time and gradually harms the blood vessels.
- Cholesterol level: this indicator reflects the state of fat metabolism, and its changes help the doctor assess the risk to the blood vessels.
- Blood sugar level: it is checked because a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism is often combined with damage to the blood vessels and accelerates the process.
- Body weight: it is monitored over time, since excess weight increases the burden on the heart and contributes to a rise in blood pressure.
- Regular preventive check-ups: they are needed in order to notice shifts in time and adjust your lifestyle before complaints appear.
How often to see a doctor
Regular preventive check-ups are needed even when nothing is bothering you and you feel well. Atherosclerosis develops unnoticed for a long time, so complaints appear only against the background of pronounced changes in the blood vessels. The doctor assesses blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol over time and notices deviations earlier than they become noticeable. With a hereditary predisposition, such check-ups are especially important, since the risk is higher from the very beginning. The doctor selects how often to visit individually, taking into account age, complaints and the results of previous check-ups. Missed check-ups lead to changes remaining unnoticed and accumulating. It is worth asking your doctor in advance about a convenient schedule of monitoring and sticking to it.
What is worth remembering
A conversation about atherosclerosis comes down to a few conclusions that are worth keeping in mind. They concern how the reader should use this knowledge going forward.
Main conclusions
Atherosclerosis develops unnoticed and over a long time, so it is judged not by how one feels, but by the results of an examination. A person may feel quite well, while changes in the vessels are already taking their course. That is precisely why one should not wait for obvious signs to take an interest in one's condition. Atherosclerosis affects vessels in different areas, and the next steps depend on where the deposit appeared earlier. It is impossible to work this out on one's own by sensations, and attempts to guess get in the way of obtaining the needed answer in time. The mistake made most often is putting off a visit until things become bad. Atherosclerosis does not call for panic, but it does call for attention and consistency. The support here is simple: an observing doctor, regular monitoring and sensible everyday habits.
