Blood Pressure And Your Health
Causes Of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis, in general means the buildup
of fatty deposits called plaque on the inside walls of arteries.
Arteries perform the task of blood vessels that carry oxygen and blood
to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body. Plaque build-up
results in narrowing or clogging of the artery. As an artery becomes
more and more narrowed, less blood is able to flow through. The artery
may also become less elastic. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of a
group of diseases called cardiovascular diseases i.e. diseases of the
heart and blood vessels. For further details read High
Blood Pressure: Giving Way To A Chain Of Maladies
Too much cholesterol in the blood, damage to the artery wall, and
inflammation appear to play important roles in plaque buildup. There may
be other factors that prove to be important as causes of
atherosclerosis. They are-high cholesterol, polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS), atheroma and arteriosclerosis. As such, the causes of
atherosclerosis are easy to find. Atherosclerosis can lead to high blood
pressure levels and volatile heart rate and blood pressure.
You
can't do anything about your genes, your gender or your age, but you can
adopt a healthy lifestyle. Maintain a healthy weight and avoid weight
gain as you get older. Get plenty of regular exercise- at least 30
minutes a day, most days of the week. Eat a healthy diet for high blood
pressure- low in saturated fat and rich in fruits and vegetables. If you
have high blood cholesterol or high blood pressure readings, you may
need blood pressure medicine to help lower it. Stick to your treatment
of high blood pressure. Talk to your health care provider to learn the
ways to lower blood pressure, about what you can do to lower your risks
for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The effects of high
blood pressure have to be lessened for lowering high blood pressure.