The Connection Between Atherosclerosis and Heart Attacks
Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death on a global basis. Atherosclerosis is also one of the causes of heart issues. When you understand what atherosclerosis is, what causes it, and how it connects to heart attacks, you can take steps to prevent cardiovascular disease and promote heart health.
Arteriosclerosis: A Brief Explanation
Arteriosclerosis is a term for the hardening and thickening of arteries. It impacts blood vessels that move oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body. Some arteriosclerosis is common in people as they age, but when it progresses to a considerable degree, it can cause serious health issues. Arteriosclerosis can be seen in various forms, with atherosclerosis being one of the most dangerous and common.
The Difference Between Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis
As mentioned, arteriosclerosis refers to the thickening and hardening of arteries. Atherosclerosis is a particular type of arteriosclerosis. In this specific type, the inner walls of the arteries become clogged with plaque, which is made from calcium, cholesterol, fat, and other substances found in the blood. The buildup can make blood flow slower or, even worse, break off and create blood clots. All atherosclerosis is arteriosclerosis, but the opposite is not valid.
Causes of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis often starts in childhood and develops over a long period. The cause of the disease is not fully understood at this time. However, there are many risk factors to be aware of.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and cause plaque to accumulate.
- Genetics: Family history is essential when determining whether a specific person is likely to develop atherosclerosis.
- High Blood Pressure: Hypertension can damage the arteries, making plaque buildup more likely.
- High Cholesterol: High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or bad cholesterol, significantly affect plaque formation.
- Obesity: Having extra body weight can lead to diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, which are all risk factors for atherosclerosis.
- Sedentary Lifestyle: Not enough physical activity can lead to high cholesterol levels, hypertension, and obesity.
- Smoking: Tobacco smoke has several chemicals that can damage blood vessel walls and make it more likely for someone to develop atherosclerosis.
- Unhealthy Diet: Diets high in trans fats, saturated fats, and cholesterol can lead to high blood cholesterol levels.
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Atherosclerosis can impact any arteries in the body and cause many cardiovascular diseases. When the problem happens in coronary arteries, it may cause coronary artery disease, which often occurs before heart attacks.
When coronary artery disease occurs, plaque narrows the coronary arteries, which means less blood makes it to the heart muscle. This may lead to chest pain, and a blood clot can form if the plaque ruptures. This can entirely block the artery and lead to a heart attack. The lack of blood flow keeps oxygen from reaching the heart muscle, which causes damage or death of heart tissue.
In addition, atherosclerosis can cause peripheral artery disease, which impacts the arteries in the arms and legs. It may also result in cerebrovascular disease, which causes issues with the arteries that supply the brain and can cause strokes.
The Role of Atherosclerosis in Heart Attacks
A myocardial infarction or a heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked for so long that part of the heart muscle is damaged or dies. The primary cause of heart attacks is atherosclerosis. Plaques that form in the arteries can be unstable or stable. The stable ones grow slowly and are less likely to cause heart attacks. Unstable plaques tend to be more dangerous as rupturing is not uncommon.
When unstable plaque ruptures, items like cholesterol in the plaque are put into the bloodstream. This causes the formation of a blood clot, which may become large enough to block the artery entirely. When the coronary artery is blocked, the part of the heart supplied by it doesn’t get oxygen and will die, leading to a heart attack.
Final Thoughts
Atherosclerosis is a serious underlying cause of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks. When you understand the way heart attacks and atherosclerosis connect, you can take steps to reduce your risk. Managing risk factors, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and seeing a doctor regularly are all great strategies to prevent atherosclerosis and ensure your heart is healthy.
One of the most important things we can do is promote awareness of atherosclerosis and how it impacts heart health. Spreading that knowledge gives people the power to make better decisions about their health. It can also help reduce the number of heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases.
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