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Atherosclerosis is a
process in which thickening and hardening of arteries take place. It
occurs due to the deposition of the fatty substances, calcium,
fibrin, cellular waste particles in the inner lining of the wall of
arteries. Deposition of these particles results in the formation of
plaques which reduces the flow of blood to the organ these arteries
feed. When this process occurs in the coronary arteries, it is called
coronary atherosclerosis. When these plaques are formed in the
coronary arteries, they impair the flow of blood to the heart causing
heart stroke or heart fail.
The process of atherosclerosis in
coronary artery is a complex one. It starts with the greater number
of LDL particles entering into the subendothelial space. Greater
number of these LDL particles does matter and raise the risk of
coronary diseases. It takes time and develops in a long span of time
resulting in the build up of plaques causing rupture or blockade in
the blood vessel.
Coronary atherosclerosis has been the
major cause of death in America and other western countries.
At present it affects approx 11 million
people in the North America. There are some risk factors for coronary
atherosclerosis which one should know so as to reduce the possibility
of the incidence of this disease.
They are:
1. High level of LDL cholesterol
2. Smoking and exposure to tobacco
3. Heredity and family history
4. High level of sugar or diabetes
5. Less physical activity
6. Low level of good cholesterol
There are some health indicators which
may reduce the probability of coronary atherosclerosis:
1. Keeping blood sugar level to low
2. Controlling high blood pressure
3. Exercising regularly
4. Maintaining low level of bad
cholesterol
5. Maintaining high level of good
cholesterol
6. Consuming foods containing
antioxidant vitamins
7. Taking medicines preventing blood
clotting
8. Reducing blood levels of
homocysteines
These steps are also useful in the
event of other atherosclerosis as they would lessen the probability
of thickening of the arteries.
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