Atherosclerosis Heart Disease ❤️😙
- Thread starter Ruthanne
- Start date
Kaila
SF VIP
I wonder if there are different types, due to different causal factors? I have noticed that there are a few different spellings commonly used, which might also indicate actual differences.
Arteriosclerosis, for example, is how I sometimes see it.
I also wonder if treatments would vary a lot, depending on a person's other medical conditions.
Or if preventative or treatment options, would depend more on what stage of the atherosclerosis, one has.
Anyway, this topic is something I'd like to learn about, because it is a very common condition and diagnosis, that myself or any of us could receive from a doctor on any day, and many probably already have.
It seems like learning some general knowledge about it,
and people sharing their personal experiences with it, could be helpful.
Arteriosclerosis, for example, is how I sometimes see it.
I also wonder if treatments would vary a lot, depending on a person's other medical conditions.
Or if preventative or treatment options, would depend more on what stage of the atherosclerosis, one has.
Anyway, this topic is something I'd like to learn about, because it is a very common condition and diagnosis, that myself or any of us could receive from a doctor on any day, and many probably already have.
It seems like learning some general knowledge about it,
and people sharing their personal experiences with it, could be helpful.
Last edited:
hearlady
Homebody
- Location
- N Carolina
Lewkat
Senior Member
- Location
- New Jersey, USA
Yes.
Happy Heart
Member
The American Heart Association and Cleveland Clinic have reliable online information.
I have never heard of it, or maybe, I have heard
the British name/version of it, but I still have no
idea what it is, I will ask Google, (Dr).
Mike.
P.S.
Of course, I know what it is, we call it Cholesterol,
or plaque build up in the arteries, I had some of
the plaque in the arteries in 2017, a surgeon told
me after he had done a procedure on me, but I
don't know if I still have it, there was no follow-up.
the British name/version of it, but I still have no
idea what it is, I will ask Google, (Dr).
Mike.
P.S.
Of course, I know what it is, we call it Cholesterol,
or plaque build up in the arteries, I had some of
the plaque in the arteries in 2017, a surgeon told
me after he had done a procedure on me, but I
don't know if I still have it, there was no follow-up.
Been There
Well-known Member
- Location
- Florida
I have a friend living in SE Ohio that has it. He was my mainly only close friend while I was growing up on my grandparents farm. He said he was always short of breath, so he went to the doctor who sent him to a cardiologist. They did a heart catheterization and found a build up of plaque and cholesterol in 2 or 3 arteries and gave him at least 2 stents. I know he takes medicines also, but not sure what they are. If you want, I will call him and ask. I do know he takes a baby aspirin everyday, but also a statin and another pill or 2. He also has to chart his blood pressure everyday at the same time, but only after resting for at least 20 minutes, I think.
This has been a bad week for me. I got a call that a man I knew for a long time when I was in the military died unexpectedly on Thursday. He lives outside of Chicago and I am thinking about going to his memorial service. He was a Sergeant under me and we got along really well because we had similar lifestyles while growing up.
Then, just yesterday, I got another call from another man I knew in the military and when he called, he told me this will probably be the strangest call I ever got. I said ok, but why. To make a long story short, he told me he had a brain tumor and they did a biopsy and told him yesterday that he probably has less than 8 months to live. He has a very aggressive form of brain cancer. He asked me if I would give a short eulogy at his funeral. He is being buried in his family’s plot. What do you say when someone asks you to do that? Of course, I said “absolutely.” He lives in Fargo, North Dakota. We were pals for the 2 years while I was in Hawaii. A really good guy and a great family man. His family always came first. I think he is only about 55. I was floored by this news. It seems lately that I am losing a lot of people I knew while in the military.
This has been a bad week for me. I got a call that a man I knew for a long time when I was in the military died unexpectedly on Thursday. He lives outside of Chicago and I am thinking about going to his memorial service. He was a Sergeant under me and we got along really well because we had similar lifestyles while growing up.
Then, just yesterday, I got another call from another man I knew in the military and when he called, he told me this will probably be the strangest call I ever got. I said ok, but why. To make a long story short, he told me he had a brain tumor and they did a biopsy and told him yesterday that he probably has less than 8 months to live. He has a very aggressive form of brain cancer. He asked me if I would give a short eulogy at his funeral. He is being buried in his family’s plot. What do you say when someone asks you to do that? Of course, I said “absolutely.” He lives in Fargo, North Dakota. We were pals for the 2 years while I was in Hawaii. A really good guy and a great family man. His family always came first. I think he is only about 55. I was floored by this news. It seems lately that I am losing a lot of people I knew while in the military.
Pecos
Well-known Member
- Location
- Washington State
You are a good man and I am proud of you for the way you are supporting your old friends during the rough times in their lives.
Happy Heart
Member
I hear you.
We have also lost many friends and family over the last few years which makes the world a lonely place for us well seasoned folks. I have reached the point where it is hard to invest in new friends but nothing stays the same.
We have also lost many friends and family over the last few years which makes the world a lonely place for us well seasoned folks. I have reached the point where it is hard to invest in new friends but nothing stays the same.
I should have put this in the OP but forgot. What I am referring to is
Arterial atherosclerotic disease
Here is a link to the information that will follow: Mayo Clinic-Arterial Atherosclerotic Disease
Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body (arteries) become thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to the organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. But over time, the walls in the arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries.
Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls. This buildup is called plaque. The plaque can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot.
Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in the body. Atherosclerosis can be treated. Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis symptoms usually don't happen until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can't supply enough blood to organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely blocks blood flow. The clot may break apart and can trigger a heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms of moderate to severe atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected. For example:
Early diagnosis and treatment can stop atherosclerosis from worsening and prevent a heart attack, stroke or another medical emergency.
Atherosclerosis is a slowly worsening disease that may begin as early as childhood. The exact cause is unknown. It may start with damage or injury to the inner layer of an artery. The damage may be caused by:
Over time, fats, cholesterols and other substances also collect on the inner walls of the heart arteries. This buildup is called plaque. Plaque can cause the arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot.
Arterial atherosclerotic disease
Here is a link to the information that will follow: Mayo Clinic-Arterial Atherosclerotic Disease
Overview
Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are sometimes used to mean the same thing, but there's a difference between the two terms.Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body (arteries) become thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to the organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. But over time, the walls in the arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries.
Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls. This buildup is called plaque. The plaque can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot.
Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in the body. Atherosclerosis can be treated. Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent atherosclerosis.
Symptoms
Mild atherosclerosis usually doesn't have any symptoms.Atherosclerosis symptoms usually don't happen until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can't supply enough blood to organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely blocks blood flow. The clot may break apart and can trigger a heart attack or stroke.
Symptoms of moderate to severe atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected. For example:
- If you have atherosclerosis in your heart arteries, you may have chest pain or pressure (angina).
- If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your brain, you may have sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, temporary loss of vision in one eye, or drooping muscles in your face. These signal a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Untreated, a TIA can lead to a stroke.
- If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries in your arms and legs, you may have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, such as leg pain when walking (claudication) or decreased blood pressure in an affected limb.
- If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your kidneys, you may develop high blood pressure or kidney failure.
When to see a doctor
If you think you have atherosclerosis, talk to your health care provider. Also pay attention to early symptoms caused by a lack of blood flow, such as chest pain (angina), leg pain or numbness.Early diagnosis and treatment can stop atherosclerosis from worsening and prevent a heart attack, stroke or another medical emergency.
Causes
Development of atherosclerosisAtherosclerosis is a slowly worsening disease that may begin as early as childhood. The exact cause is unknown. It may start with damage or injury to the inner layer of an artery. The damage may be caused by:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- High triglycerides, a type of fat (lipid) in the blood
- Smoking or chewing tobacco
- Diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- Obesity
- Inflammation from an unknown cause or from diseases such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis or inflammatory bowel disease
Over time, fats, cholesterols and other substances also collect on the inner walls of the heart arteries. This buildup is called plaque. Plaque can cause the arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot.
Risk factors
Hardening of the arteries occurs over time. Aging is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Other things that may increase the risk of atherosclerosis include:- A family history of early heart disease
- An unhealthy diet
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- High levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Sleep apnea
- Smoking and other tobacco use
Complications
The complications of atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are narrowed or blocked. For example:- Coronary artery disease. When atherosclerosis narrows the arteries close to your heart, you may develop coronary artery disease, which can cause chest pain (angina), a heart attack or heart failure.
- Carotid artery disease. When atherosclerosis narrows the arteries close to your brain, you may develop carotid artery disease. This can cause a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke.
- Peripheral artery disease. When atherosclerosis narrows the arteries in your arms or legs, you may develop blood flow problems in your arms and legs called peripheral artery disease. This can make you less sensitive to heat and cold, increasing your risk of burns or frostbite. Rarely, a lack of blood flow to the arms or legs can cause tissue death (gangrene).
- Aneurysms. Atherosclerosis can also cause aneurysms, a serious complication that can occur anywhere in the body. Most people with aneurysms have no symptoms. Pain and throbbing in the area of an aneurysm may occur and is a medical emergency. If an aneurysm bursts, it can cause life-threatening bleeding inside the body.
- Chronic kidney disease. Atherosclerosis can cause the arteries leading to the kidneys to narrow. Narrowing of these arteries prevents enough oxygen-rich blood from reaching the kidneys. The kidneys need enough blood flow to help filter waste products and remove excess fluids.
Prevention
The same healthy lifestyle changes recommended to treat atherosclerosis also help prevent it. These lifestyle changes can help keep the arteries healthy:- Quitting smoking
- Eating healthy foods
- Exercising regularly
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Checking and maintaining a healthy blood pressure
- Checking and maintaining healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels
Thank you for explaining about your friends symptoms and procedures he went through. I'm sorry about your other friend with the brain tumor and your sergeant.
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palides2021
Well-known Member
- Location
- MidAtlantic, USA
Sorry for the loss of your Sergeant, and for your pal's brain tumor.
Ruthanne: Are you near a "heart health" clinic?
My husband (now deceased) had trouble breathing due to heart issues. He was referred to a clinic where they gave him breathing exercises and advice managing stairs and walking outdoors (which was encouraged.) He was able to continue to golf.
My husband (now deceased) had trouble breathing due to heart issues. He was referred to a clinic where they gave him breathing exercises and advice managing stairs and walking outdoors (which was encouraged.) He was able to continue to golf.
Sorry for the loss of your husband.
I am close to the Cleveland Clinic which reports having outstanding cardiac care. I haven't gotten an appointment yet because I'm waiting on my doctor to call or send me a message. My nerves are getting frazzled.
Yes.
Yes cholesterol and plaque are a part of it. Please read the important information on post #11.
jujube
SF VIP
Atherosclerosis is what killed my husband. Unfortunately, he wasn't showing the classic signs of it, but that's what's on his death certificate, compliments of the Medical Examiner who performed the autopsy (it was required because he technically died outside the hospital and without obvious cause).
It killed my father too. It was listed as the cause. He hadn't seen a doctor in years and we all were begging him to see one. He would just say he wouldn't go to the doctor and if I die then so be it. Something close to that.
palides2021
Well-known Member
- Location
- MidAtlantic, USA
I used to work at that clinic, years ago! Yes, they have always been great with cardiac care.
Yes I feel they are an exceptional clinic! Haven't been to their Cardiologists yet tho.
Happy Heart
Member
Can I rent a corner of your garage? I so miss the Cleveland Clinic. They cared for my grandma, dad, uncle and me but moved away decades ago, which I now know what I lost.
Keep us posted but there isn't much anyone can do online except let you know that you are not alone.
Sorry but I don't have a garage except where my car is and there's too many cars in there. But come up to my apartment and have some tea. Or
. I know that there's not much anyone can do online but caring and support comes through and I do appreciate that as I'm all alone in this. Bless you.