Atherosclerosis: what it is, causes, symptoms and how to treat it

Atherosclerosis is a pathological condition that affects the arteries and leads to the formation of lipid plaques within their walls, narrowing the space required for blood circulation. This disease is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in industrialised countries.

For this reason, managers at pharmaceutical companies and distributors in the industry need to be aware of the risks of the disease, so they can distribute products that are effective for its prevention and treatment. Let’s look in more detail at what it is, its causes and possible treatments, both preventive and therapeutic.

What atherosclerosis is

Atherosclerosis or atherosclerotic disease is a condition characterised by the accumulation of lipids and cholesterol in the arterial walls. These deposits lead to the formation of so-called atherosclerotic plaques or atheromas. This is essentially a pathological process that causes the narrowing and hardening of the arteries, compromising blood flow and increasing the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

It is important to make the necessary clarification before proceeding: atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis are not synonymous, although they are often misused interchangeably. Arteriosclerosis more generally refers to a chronic and degenerative process that leads to the thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the arterial walls. Atherosclerosis is the most common form of atherosclerosis. There are other less common and less clinically relevant forms of arteriosclerosis, such as Mönckeberg’s sclerosis and arteriolosclerosis.

Causes of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis can effectively be defined as a multi-factor disease, which is influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental elements. The main causes are:

  • high levels of LDL cholesterol, which are directly associated with the formation of lipid plaques;
  • high blood pressure that damages the arterial walls, thus encouraging the accumulation of lipids;
  • smoking, chemicals in cigarettes damage blood vessels and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease;
  • untreated diabetes can accelerate the process of atherosclerosis through various mechanisms, such as increased blood glucose and chronic inflammation;
  • so-called metabolic syndrome, a set of conditions that includes abdominal obesity, hypertension, hyperglycaemia, and dyslipidaemia.

Atherosclerosis symptoms

The symptoms of atherosclerosis vary depending on the arteries affected and the degree of obstruction. Early on, the disease is mostly asymptomatic. As the condition progresses, several symptoms may arise, including:

  • chest pain (angina), often associated with blockages in coronary arteries;
  • fatigue and weakness, caused by decreased blood flow to muscles and organs;
  • dyspnoea, i.e., respiratory distress due to heart failure or pulmonary circulation problems;
  • intermittent claudication, leg pain and cramps during physical activity, always related to decreased blood flow to the lower extremities.

Moreover, it should be remembered that the narrowing of the vessels and their occlusion, caused by the formation of a thrombus, cause ischaemia and infarction in the areas downstream of the arteries themselves. Symptoms associated with ischaemia and stroke depend on where narrowing is located: if it affects the coronary arteries, it can cause angina and myocardial infarction; if it affects the brain, it can lead to stroke or transient ischaemic attack; when it is located in the intestine, kidneys or peripheral arteries, it can cause intestinal ischaemia, kidney ischaemia or arterial obliteration of the lower limbs, respectively.

How to treat atherosclerosis

As we have explained, atherosclerosis and cholesterol often go hand in hand. That is why treatment of atherosclerosis includes a significant lifestyle change first and foremost.

Whatever treatment is found, it must be aimed at slowing down disease progression, reducing symptoms and preventing the most serious complications. Let’s look at the key treatment strategies together.

Lifestyle changes

Living a healthy lifestyle is key to preventing and managing atherosclerosis. Starting from a balanced diet is the first step in getting better: reducing saturated and trans fats, sugar, salt and increasing consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish can make a big difference.

At the same time, regular physical activity is essential because it helps to keep weight under control and, at the same time, lowers cholesterol levels, improving cardiovascular health.

It goes without saying that quitting smoking is really crucial for managing a vascular disease of this nature. Smoking, as is well known, is one of the main risk factors for atherosclerosis and stopping this bad habit significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular complications of all kinds.

Pharmacological treatments

When lifestyle changes are not sufficient to control atherosclerosis, pharmacological treatments should be used. Statins, for example, are commonly used to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Antihypertensives, on the other hand, help control blood pressure, thus reducing one of the main risk factors for the disease. Finally, antidiabetics are essential for the management of diabetes in patients with diabetes because they help prevent the vascular complications associated with this complex condition.

Food Supplements

The use of metabolic supplements can effectively support patients in the management of atherosclerosis. Lipiban from Cor.Con International, for example, is a patented food supplement that combines two unique ingredients: polyglucosamine and vitamin C, substances that protect cells from oxidative stress. Its formulation has been specially designed to support metabolic functions and assist in the management of cholesterol levels. The product is available as tablets, to be taken before meals.

In this context, chitosan-based foods have also been very useful in reducing the absorption of fat and bad cholesterol, thus becoming valuable allies in maintaining healthy metabolism.

Conclusions

By pulling together, atherosclerosis is a complex, multi-factor disease that requires a holistic approach to managing it properly. Knowing the causes, symptoms and treatment options is key to offering and distributing effective products in the marketplace. Investing in the prevention and treatment of this disease not only improves patient quality of life, but also reduces the health-care costs associated with the many feared cardiovascular complications.