Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart. Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries Atherosclerosis of the heart vessels conservative treatment

One of the most common complaints of modern people are problems with the cardiovascular system. This is largely due to the environment, poor lifestyle and lack of physical activity. A disease such as atherosclerosis of the heart is becoming more and more widespread. It is associated with the accumulation of fat cells on the walls of blood vessels. As a result, the lumen of the aorta narrows, and blood flow to the heart muscle is sharply limited. If the problem is not recognized in time and treatment is not started, the likelihood of death is high.

Atherosclerosis of the heart vessels is a condition that directly threatens human life. Due to certain circumstances, there is a deposition of fat cells on the walls of the aorta. As a result, there is a gradual decrease in the amount of blood entering the heart.

The growth of cholesterol plaques leads to a slowdown in blood circulation. As a result, the work of not only the heart, but also all internal organs is disrupted. The result is the development of serious diseases. In especially difficult situations, a person dies.

The main risk group is made up of men who have crossed the forty-five-year milestone.

It is especially important for older people to remember what atherosclerosis of the arteries of the heart is. At first, the disease can be almost asymptomatic. Therefore, it is extremely important to undergo regular medical examinations. Recovery is possible only if a timely diagnosis is made and treatment is started.

Recently, the disease is rapidly getting younger. Fat deposits on the walls of blood vessels are diagnosed even in childhood. Experts primarily associate this fact with malnutrition. Therefore, an important role must be assigned to preventive measures.

The main causes of the development of the disease

In order to prevent atherosclerotic heart disease and atherosclerosis of the aorta, it is necessary to remember the cause of the development of such a problem. Modern experts cannot come to a consensus on this issue. They only managed to identify a few factors that contribute to the onset of the disease:

Prolonged stay in stressful situations, mental strain.
Violation of the rules of rational nutrition, abuse of fast food, fatty and fried foods.
Living in regions with unfavorable environmental conditions.
Addiction to smoking and drinking alcohol.
Lack of physical activity.
Diabetes.
Bad heredity.

Each of us can eliminate most of the above unfavorable factors. The sooner the causes of atherosclerosis are eliminated, the greater the chances of a successful cure.

According to statistical studies, the likelihood of sudden death from atherosclerosis increases with a high concentration of cholesterol in the blood. Therefore, it is extremely important to control this indicator.

Stages of disease development

The disease does not appear suddenly. With the gradual accumulation of lipid cells on the walls of blood vessels, atherosclerosis develops slowly. This process is usually divided into several main stages:

First. The blood flow rate begins to gradually decrease. Microscopic cracks are found on the walls of blood vessels. In the area of such damage, active accumulation of lipid cells begins. Gradually, the cracks increase in size, and fat deposits grow with them.
The second stage of atherosclerosis. It is called liposclerosis. There is an increase in the rate of growth of adipose tissue. At this stage, the disease responds well to treatment. Forming plaques can be effectively dissolved. At the same time, the likelihood of developing thrombosis increases several times. This can lead to blockage of the artery and death.
Atherocalcinosis. There is a seal of plaques in the vessels of the heart, which provokes the deposition of calcium. The light is very narrow. There is an active growth of a thrombus, which is accompanied by a significant deformation of the vessel. The risk of occlusion and necrosis increases. In severe cases, gangrene begins in this area.

Treatment will largely depend on the stage of atherosclerosis. In the later stages, therapy is difficult and lengthy. Unfortunately, it does not always lead to a favorable outcome. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the problem as early as possible.

How does the disease manifest itself?

With atherosclerosis of the vessels, symptoms may not appear immediately. Often, people begin to worry about their health only when there are clear signs of ischemia or myocardial infarction. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to the first manifestations of the disease:

Paleness of the skin.
The limbs are often cold even at normal ambient temperatures.
There are sharp jumps in blood pressure.
Memory worsens.
A person constantly feels tired, he wants to sleep all the time.
Increased irritability, nervousness.
Painful sensations of a pressing nature, which are given to the arm or under the shoulder blade.
When you take a deep breath or exhale, you feel pain in the solar plexus.
After physical exertion, there is an acute shortage of air.
The manifestations of the disease include sensations of intense heat throughout the body, which are replaced by cold.
There is noise in the ears.
A brief loss of consciousness may occur.

Particular attention to alarming symptoms should be paid to people suffering from diabetes and impaired kidney function. At the first sign of this problem, you should consult a doctor and undergo a thorough medical examination.

Diagnostic measures

A cardiologist can accurately diagnose atherosclerosis after a full medical examination of the patient. First of all, the specialist examines the patient. The presence of edema, wen on the body, trophic disorders and other signs are revealed. Blood pressure and heart rate must be measured. After that, the specialist prescribes the following diagnostic procedures:

Laboratory study of blood. The concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides is determined.
Aortography. This is a study of the state of blood vessels using x-rays. This method can detect the presence of seals, aneurysms, calcifications and other pathologies.
Angiography is a study in which it is possible to determine the violation of blood flow in the area under study. Altered areas are detected with the introduction of a specialized contrast agent.
ultrasound. With the help of ultrasound, the state of the vessels adjacent to the heart muscle is studied.

Based on the research data, the specialist concludes that the disease is present. Only then can we proceed to the development of a competent treatment program.

Methods of treatment

Most often, people go to the doctor after severe pain in the heart and other manifestations of ischemia or heart attack appear. This requires emergency medical treatment of atherosclerosis, which includes the following drugs:

Painkillers. They are needed to urgently stop the attack. Most often, nitroglycerin is used for these purposes.
Means for the normalization of blood circulation.
Drugs that increase blood pressure.

In the treatment of atherosclerosis of the heart vessels, medications are necessarily used to reduce the concentration of cholesterol in the blood. They are divided into several groups:

fibrates. Prevent the formation of fats in the liver. Long-term use of fibrates is unacceptable, since fats are necessary for the full functioning of the body. They are involved in the construction of cells and the work of enzymatic systems. Fibrates include Clofibrate and Fenofibrate.
Statins. This group includes Lovastatin, Mevacol, Simvastatin and others. To achieve a lasting effect, they have to be used for a long time.
Choleretic drugs. They are designed to increase the rate of outflow of bile. This group includes Cholestyramine, Cholestide and others.
A nicotinic acid.

During drug therapy, it is necessary to strictly adhere to all the recommendations of the doctor. Arbitrarily stopping treatment or changing drugs can lead to serious consequences for health and even life.

Specific drugs and their dosage is selected exclusively by the attending specialist. Before taking medications, carefully read the instructions that come with them.

Surgery

In severe cases of atherosclerosis, it is not possible to do without surgical intervention. This helps save the patient's life. The following methods are used for this:

thrombolytic therapy. Measures are being taken to dissolve the forming blood clots. This helps to quickly restore normal blood flow.
Shunting. With the help of the body's own vessels or specialized tubes, specialists provide a new blood flow, bypassing the damaged area. At the same time, the heart rate and the supply of nutrients to all internal organs are normalized.
Angioplasty. During this operation, instead of narrowing the vessel, catheters are installed. One of them has a balloon. It is inflated with air, which allows you to expand the lumen. In order to fix the diameter at the desired value, it is permissible to install a stent.
Endarterectomy. This procedure involves cleansing the arteries of accumulated fat cells. As a result, the cardiac vessels begin to function at full strength.

Surgical intervention is associated with serious risks to the health and life of the patient. But often it becomes the only way to save.

Food

Proper nutrition plays an important role in the treatment of atherosclerosis of the heart. Only in this way will it be possible to lower the level of cholesterol in the blood, to prevent the formation of new plaques. You should follow the basic recommendations:

First of all, the daily intake of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is adjusted. Provide adequate intake of vitamins and minerals.
The number of calories needed for the patient is calculated based on body weight. Exceeding this limit can adversely affect health.
Meals should be regular, at least four times a day. Long breaks between meals can aggravate the course of the disease.
It is necessary to completely exclude smoked meats, quickly digestible carbohydrates, fried and fatty foods from the menu. The consumption of salt and spices should be kept to a minimum.
The diet of a patient with atherosclerosis should include cereals and wholemeal bread. Muffins and products made from premium flour should be discarded.
Allowed the use of dairy products of low fat content. But it is better to refuse from irny varieties of cheese and whole milk.
The menu should include vegetable soups. Rich broth should be a thing of the past.
The use of fish of any kind is recommended. It can be steamed or baked.
Seafood lovers are allowed to eat scallops and oysters. Shrimp, squid and mussels will have to be abandoned.
The diet should include meat products. It can be veal, game, chicken or rabbit. It is forbidden to enter duck, fatty meats, sausages, offal into the menu.
Any vegetables can be eaten. The main rule is they should be stewed or steamed. Eating fried foods is strictly prohibited.
Benefits for the body will bring walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds and peanuts.
You can drink tea, juices, compotes and fruit drinks without sugar.

By adhering to the basic rules of nutrition, you can reduce the risk of complications and speed up the healing process. It is necessary to develop a competent diet together with a specialist.

Folk methods of treating the disease

As an additional method of treating atherosclerosis of the heart, you can use traditional medicine recipes. Such simple natural remedies will help enhance the effectiveness of drug treatment. Among the most effective drugs are:

Plantain leaf tincture. A tablespoon of dried chopped raw materials is steamed with a glass of boiling water. After half an hour, the product is ready for use. It is recommended to drink it in the amount of a glass in equal portions throughout the day.
Tincture of garlic. A few cloves should be crushed to a mushy state and pour a glass of vodka. The tool will be ready for use after five days. It is taken 10 drops three times a day. Before use, the tincture is diluted in a small amount of water.
Rosehip infusion. Place a handful of dried fruits in a glass container. Pour in vodka so that it completely covers the berries. After two weeks of infusion, you can take the remedy 20 drops per day.
Juice of hawthorn fruit. Fill half a glass with fresh chopped hawthorn berries. Fill with warm clean water. Squeeze out the juice. It should be taken in a tablespoon before meals several times a day.
Decoction of herbs. Soak in a glass of boiling water a teaspoon of elecampane, oregano, blackberry leaves and shepherd's purse. After half an hour, pour hot water into the infusion so that 300 ml of the product is obtained. It must be drunk during the day, divided into 4 equal parts.
Stir in equal amounts the stems and leaves of strawberries, nettle, dandelion and lemon balm. Steam 300 ml of boiling water. An hour later, the product will be ready for use. It must be drunk during the day.
Fold in a thermos a handful of strawberries and rose hips. Add some oat straw and mint. Steam with boiling water. After an hour, treatment can begin. Two glasses of the product must be consumed during the day. In this case, a single dose should be at least 100 ml.
Combine 4 tablespoons of immortelle with the same amount of hawthorn. Add to them two tablespoons of lingonberry and raspberry leaves. A teaspoon of the prepared collection must be steamed in a glass of boiling water. This remedy is divided into four parts and drunk throughout the day.
Combine the chopped stalks of dill and burdock. Add horsetail and medicinal letter. A teaspoon of the prepared mixture is steamed in a glass of boiling water and infused for about half an hour. It must be taken in equal portions throughout the day.
Mix identical portions of calendula and clover. Add rowan and corn stigmas. A spoonful of this composition is steamed in a glass of boiling water and taken throughout the day in equal doses.

The use of such drugs may have contraindications, in particular allergic reactions. Therefore, before using them, you should consult with a specialist.

Possible complications and prevention

If symptoms are detected in time and treatment is started, then the likelihood of complications is low. Otherwise, the disease becomes chronic. Vascular insufficiency may develop. It can cause a heart attack or coronary heart disease.

An aneurysm that forms in a vessel can rupture under unfavorable circumstances. This phenomenon often leads to the death of the patient. Atherosclerosis can cause a stroke, heart attack, or heart attack.

With timely initiation of treatment, the prognosis is favorable. If precious time is lost, you will have to undergo long-term treatment and recovery. At the same time, it is necessary to adhere to proper nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. After the cure, experts recommend undergoing a course of recovery in a sanatorium. The program is developed individually for each patient.

Recently, the disease has increasingly begun to affect people of all ages. Therefore, you need to take care of your health from a young age. Follow the simple rules of prevention:

With atherosclerosis of the heart vessels, it is required to completely stop smoking. Inhalation of tobacco smoke has a destructive effect on the walls of blood vessels. Alcohol abuse will have a similar effect. Alcoholic beverages can be drunk only in small quantities.
Try to move more. Full physical activity contributes to the elasticity of blood vessels. Recommended gymnastics, swimming, walking in the fresh air.
Stick to a healthy diet policy. Try not to include unhealthy foods in your diet. Eat more vegetables, fruits, lean fish and meats.
Dress for the weather. Overheating, just like hypothermia, negatively affects the state of the cardiovascular system.
Timely identify and treat problems with the heart and blood vessels. Control your blood pressure.
Do not engage in heavy physical labor.
Control body weight. Excess weight becomes a factor that accelerates the development of atherosclerosis.
Avoid stressful situations, try to maintain peace of mind and calmness in any conditions.

Compliance with these simple rules of prevention will reduce the risk of developing the disease. A healthy diet and lifestyle will help you stay young and healthy for a long time.

Atherosclerosis of the arteries of the heart is a dangerous disease that requires serious therapy. Therefore, when the first alarming symptoms are detected, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor. Only after a full medical examination will it be possible to draw up a competent treatment program. During treatment, it is necessary to strictly follow all the recommendations issued by the specialist.

Doctors estimate that cardiovascular disease causes 17,000,000 deaths each year. About half of them are atherosclerosis of the heart vessels. In Europe alone, 1,950,000 people die from it every year.

Let's figure out what the diagnosis of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries says, what is the danger of this disease, symptoms, treatment options, what complications can be obtained.

Physiology of the disease

The development of atherosclerosis begins early. It has been proven that the first proto-plaques can appear even in childhood. It usually takes more than 10 years for an atherosclerotic plaque to form. At first, it is too small to affect blood flow. As the deposit grows, it occupies an increasing part of the lumen of the vessel, significantly narrowing it - stenosing atherosclerosis of the cardiac arteries develops. If the formation of atherosclerotic plaque continues, it can clog the vessel. This condition is called obliterating atherosclerosis.

Coronary vessels - a system of arteries, veins that feed the heart muscle. Their vascular pattern resembles a branched tree, in which the smallest branches are capillaries. Only one capillary is suitable for each cell of the heart. If the blood does not reach it, the myocytes stop receiving oxygen. After a while they die off (myocardial infarction). The blood supply to the cells of other organs is always carried out by several vessels, so they endure the narrowing of the lumen of the arteries without such serious consequences.

According to ICD-10, atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart is classified as atherosclerotic heart disease (group I25.1).

Main causes, risk factors

For the development of atherosclerosis, 2 components are necessary:

artery damage;
metabolic disorders, especially fat.

Throughout life, the walls of blood vessels are exposed to a wide variety of damaging factors. It is not possible to determine which one caused serious damage.

According to modern ideas in the development of atherosclerosis, a violation of fat metabolism plays an important role. High levels of cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein LDL, neutral fats, low concentration of high-density lipoprotein HDL, abnormal size of lipid fractions contribute to the formation of deposits.

Therefore, doctors do not name the exact cause of atherosclerosis, but identify risk factors for its development. 80-90% of people who die from complications of coronary disease had at least one of the following factors:

High blood pressure in people over 50. It is considered one of the most significant indicators of risk. Under the influence of hypertension, the wall of the artery becomes thin, inelastic. It is easily damaged, which provokes the formation of plaques.
Age. Women after menopause, as well as men over 50, are more prone to atherosclerosis.
hereditary predisposition. If the patient has relatives who had cardiovascular problems under the age of 55 (men) or 65 (women), he is at risk;
High cholesterol, LDL. About 60% of people with coronary atherosclerosis have an abnormally high concentration of them.
Smoking. People who smoke have a very high risk of developing the disease. Passive smokers are also prone to developing it. Cigarettes increase the level of fibrinogen, a protein involved in blood clotting reactions. Because of this, the risk of thrombosis increases. Nicotine also raises blood pressure and speeds up the heart rate.
Diabetes. The presence of diabetes increases the risk of coronary atherosclerosis by 2-4 times in men, 3-5 times in women. The disease exacerbates the negative impact on the body of smoking, obesity.
Diet. People whose diet is rich in saturated fats, cholesterol, salt, poor in vegetables, fruits have an increased risk of atherosclerotic plaque narrowing of the lumen of the vessels.
Sedentary lifestyle. Increases the likelihood of heart disease by 50%, increases the complications of diabetes, hypertension, obesity.
Obesity. In addition to the fact that overweight is associated with an increased risk of developing coronary heart disease, it is also accompanied by triglycerides, LDL, low HDL.
Other factors. Stress, alcohol abuse, blood homocysteine deficiency, excess iron, inflammatory diseases, taking some oral contraceptives, hormonal drugs.

Symptoms of coronary atherosclerosis

In the initial stages of atherosclerosis, the deposit is too small to significantly affect the blood supply to the heart muscle. Because of this, there are no symptoms of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries at this stage.

With the progression of atherosclerosis, oxygen deficiency develops in the myocardium. This condition is called coronary heart disease. The first symptoms usually do not appear constantly, but with significant physical exertion, stress. They may include:

An attack of angina pectoris (angina pectoris). It is manifested by a feeling of pain, compression in the central or left side of the chest, as if someone is standing on it. Usually, discomfort disappears after a few minutes or after the cessation of physical activity. For some people, especially women, the pain may be fleeting or sharp, radiating to the neck, arm, or back;
Dyspnea. Myocardial cells begin to work worse, which causes the heart to pump less blood than the body needs. The body tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen by breathing more frequently, which causes shortness of breath;
General weakness, chronic fatigue.

If the cholesterol plaque blocks the lumen of the vessel, myocardial infarction develops. A typical symptom is chest compression, sharp wild pain that radiates to the shoulder, arm, less often the jaw, neck. Sometimes the development of a heart attack is accompanied by shortness of breath, intense sweating.

For some people, a heart attack may be asymptomatic.

Modern diagnostics

In the early stages of coronary atherosclerosis, there are no symptoms. At the appointment, the doctor first of all interrogates the patient, conducts a general examination, listens to the heart. Then the patient takes a biochemical blood test so that the doctor has an idea about the functioning of the internal organs. If, based on the results of a general examination, blood biochemistry, the doctor suspects the possibility of developing atherosclerosis, the patient is referred for further examination.

To diagnose atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels, the following methods are used:

Electrocardiogram. Records the passage of electrical signals through the heart. With a heart attack, it will be difficult for the impulse to pass through the scar tissue, which will be displayed on the ECG. This type of study is used to detect past heart attacks. Some patients are shown daily monitoring of the ECG. To do this, a person puts on a small device that is worn for 24 hours.
Echocardiogram. A subspecies of ultrasound, which helps to obtain an image of the heart, assess the wall thickness, size of the chambers, and the condition of the valves. These indicators change with heart disease.
stress test. Assign to patients whose symptoms appear only during exercise. Such patients are offered to walk on a treadmill or pedal an exercise bike. The doctor all this time observes changes in the patient's ECG. Sometimes, instead of physical activity, a person is given drugs that make the heart work harder. Then the doctor can examine the work of the heart with an MRI.
Angiogram. The doctor injects a small amount of dye into the coronary vessel. After a while, he takes a picture of the heart (using X-ray/MRI). The dye makes the vessels visible, so areas of constriction are clearly visible in the image.
CT scan. Allows the doctor to identify the most dangerous atherosclerotic plaques that contain calcium. May be combined with angiography.

Features of treatment

Therapy for atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels begins with lifestyle changes (quit smoking, move more), diet, treatment of concomitant diseases. Most of the diet should be plant foods, from animals it is allowed to leave poultry meat, fish, eggs, low-fat milk. Red meat consumption should be limited. It is recommended to avoid obviously unhealthy food - fast foods, snacks, street shawarma, pasties.

If the above measures are not enough, or at the time of admission, the state of human health causes concern, for the treatment of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, drug therapy and surgical manipulations are connected.

Conservative therapy

Atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels in the initial or middle stages can be treated with medications. In fact, the disease itself cannot be cured. It is in the power of the doctor to slow down its progression, to remove some of the symptoms. Tasks of therapeutic treatment:

reduce the load on the heart;
relieve vascular spasm;
lower ;
prevent thrombosis;
reduce the risk of heart attack;
normalize blood pressure.

To achieve these goals, the following groups of drugs are used. Most pills need to be taken for life.

Lipid-lowering drugs

Medicines of this class normalize indicators of fat metabolism: cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides. These include:

Statins (simvastatin, atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pitavastatin). The most powerful representatives of the group. They block the synthesis of liver cholesterol, reduce the concentration of LDL, triglycerides, slightly. They are prescribed for the treatment of atherosclerosis, prevention for people at risk.
Fibrates (fenofibrate, gemfibrozil). Before the invention of statins, they were widely used in the treatment of patients with atherosclerosis. Most effectively reduce the concentration of triglycerides, increase HDL, to a lesser extent affect the level of cholesterol, VLDL.
A nicotinic acid. High doses of the drug, which is better known as vitamin B3 (PP), are prescribed to reduce triglycerides, LDL. But since the drug needs to be used in doses that exceed the daily requirement by 50-300 times, taking niacin is almost always accompanied by adverse reactions. Because of this, the use of nicotinic acid is very limited.
Bile acid sequestrants (colestyramine, colestipol). Medicines that prevent bile acids from being reabsorbed, which causes the body to use cholesterol to synthesize them;
Cholesterol absorption inhibitors (ezetimibe). Prevents the absorption of dietary cholesterol.

Blood-thinning drugs

Necessary at any stage of development of coronary atherosclerosis. Decreased blood viscosity prevents the formation of blood clots. The most popular drug is acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). It is indicated at the initial stage of the disease. For more severe atherosclerosis, warfarin is recommended.

Antihypertensive medicines

High pressure is considered one of the most significant factors that damage the artery wall. A decrease in indicators by 35-40% inhibits the progression of atherosclerosis. To correct the pressure, bisoprolol, valsartan, lisinopril, amlodipine are prescribed.

Surgery

In atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, surgical intervention is necessary if the size of the deposits is significant. The two most common techniques are shunting and stenting.

Shunting involves creating a bypass. To do this, an artificial or transplant vessel is sewn above, below the atherosclerotic plaque, through which blood can flow freely.

Stenting - restoration of blood flow is achieved by installing a metal frame - a stent - in a narrowed area. To do this, a catheter with a deflated balloon is inserted through a large vessel. The surgeon, under computer control, moves it towards the atherosclerotic plaque and then inflates it. The lumen of the vessel expands, the plaque becomes flatter. To fix the result, the catheter delivers a folded spring (stent) to the narrowing site, unfolds it. A rigid frame is formed that supports the artery in an open state.

Folk remedies

At the very initial stages of atherosclerosis, when the first symptoms have not yet appeared, you can try to be treated with herbal preparations, although this is ineffective.

Heart grass, yarrow, chestnut bark - 100 g each, rue grass, knotweed, lemongrass leaves, cumin seeds, sunflower petals - 50 g each. Prepare a mixture from the listed plants. 1 st. l. place in a thermos, pour a glass of boiling water, let it brew for 20-30 minutes. Strained infusion drink 100 ml 3 times / day before meals.
20 g of cumin seeds, Japanese Sophora pods, 30 g of valerian root, lemongrass leaves, 40 g of hawthorn flowers, nettle leaves. Pour boiling water over 1 tablespoon, leave for half an hour, strain. Drink 150 ml of infusion 2 times a day before breakfast, dinner.
Herbs in equal proportions: birch leaf, nettle leaves, sage, horsetail grass, knotweed, hawthorn inflorescences, caraway seeds, rose hips, brown algae, yarrow. 3 art. l. place in a saucepan, pour three cups of boiling water. Cover with a lid, leave for 3 hours. Take a glass before meals 3 times / day. For patients older than 70 years, the dose is reduced to half a glass.
Mix equal amounts of hawthorn flowers, knotweed grass, goldenrod, St. John's wort, yarrow. Place a tablespoon of the mixture in a saucepan, pour a glass of boiling water, put on a small fire. Boil 3 minutes. Set aside, let stand for 10 minutes. Drink warm, a glass 3 times / day before meals. A portion of the infusion must be prepared for each reception.
Mix the same amount of rue grass, goose cinquefoil, mistletoe, horsetail, yarrow. Pour a tablespoon of the collection with a glass of water, let stand for 3 hours. Put on fire, cook for 5 minutes. Let stand 30 minutes, strain. For 2-3 months, drink half a glass of infusion 2 times / day. The fifth collection contains potent herbs. Consult your physician for safe use.

Many biologically active components of plants are able to interact with medicines. Therefore, treatment with folk methods must be discussed with the therapist.

Complications

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries can significantly disrupt the functioning of the heart. Possible complications of the disease:

angina;
myocardial infarction;
heart failure;
arrhythmia.

The death of a patient can occur after a rupture of a cholesterol plaque, fragments of which will block the arteries. Most of these cases occur in the morning hours of the cold season. Severe stress or physical exertion can provoke lethal complications.

HEART DISEASE – Heart-Disease.ru – 2007

Coronary atherosclerosis is a lesion of the coronary arteries that feed the heart, in which their lumen narrows, and the blood supply to the heart decreases.

Atherosclerosis is a complex, multi-stage pathological process that affects the inner lining (intima) of large and medium-sized arteries. The intima contains a thin layer of connective tissue and is delimited from the muscular membrane of the artery (media) by an internal elastic membrane, and from the lumen of the vessel by a monolayer of endothelial cells forming a continuous smooth non-adhesive surface. The endothelium plays the role of a semi-impermeable membrane, which, on the one hand, is a barrier between the blood and the vascular wall, and on the other hand, provides the necessary exchange of molecules between them. On the surface of the endothelium are specialized receptors for various macromolecules, in particular, for low density lipoproteins. The endothelium secretes a number of vasoactive substances (endothelin, prostacyclin, nitric oxide), as well as factors of the coagulation and anticoagulation systems, due to which it plays a key role in the regulation of vascular tone, blood flow and hemocoagulation.

Currently, atherosclerosis is considered as a reaction to damage to the vascular wall (primarily the endothelium). Damage is not a mechanical injury to the endothelium, but its dysfunction, which is manifested by an increase in permeability. Hypercholesterolemia is the most important damaging factor.

In general, atherosclerosis is a process that is characterized by patterns inherent in any inflammation: exposure to a damaging factor (low-density lipoproteins that have passed through the endothelium of the vessel, where they have undergone oxidation), cell infiltration, phagocytosis and the formation of connective tissue.

Infiltration occurs by monocytes circulating in the blood, which are converted into macrophages, directed to capture oxidized low-density lipoproteins with their subsequent destruction. So on the walls of the vessel lipid strips are formed - foamy cells formed from macrophages with accumulated cholesterol esters.

Subsequently, connective tissue develops around the lipid accumulation zone and a fibrous atherosclerotic plaque is formed.

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries does not always manifest itself immediately. Often, the disease asymptomatically damages the heart and blood vessels for many years and, if timely diagnosis and treatment are not carried out, leads to angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, heart rhythm disturbances and heart failure.

In most cases, in the presence of symptoms of coronary heart disease, the diagnosis of the disease does not cause difficulties. For this, methods such as ECG, daily ECG monitoring, echocardiography, radionuclide studies, exercise tests (bicycle ergometry and treadmill test) are used.

However, with the diagnosis of the disease in the early stages, before the onset of symptoms, the situation is different.

Early detection of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries became possible after the advent of computed tomography techniques with a very short time for obtaining sections on electron beam tomography and multispiral computed tomography devices. A feature of these methods is the possibility of obtaining images of coronary artery calcifications. The study takes only 5-10 minutes in total, and the time of direct data collection is 30-40 s (one breath hold). Such studies are not burdensome for the patient, do not require special training and physical activity. The results of the study do not depend on the gender of the patient and his physical fitness.

Causes of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, and methods of its treatment

Many people know that with atherosclerosis, cholesterol plaques settle on the walls of blood vessels, which gradually reduce the lumen of this vessel. Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is the same process, but it already occurs specifically in the coronary arteries, due to which an insufficient amount of blood enters the heart muscle. What are the reasons for this condition?

Causes of blockage of blood vessels

Atherosclerosis of the heart vessels can develop due to internal and external causes. If you thoroughly count all the reasons, there may be about 200 of them. The most common among them are as follows:

hypertension;
high cholesterol (cholesterol is the main component of plaques that settle on the arterial walls);
smoking (tobacco smoke contains substances that damage the walls of blood vessels and accelerate the development of atherosclerosis);
passive lifestyle;
excess weight.

The main cause of the disease is high cholesterol

These are just some examples. There is a family-hereditary nature of the causes, when the content of various classes of lipids decreases in the plasma. The hereditary nature also includes negative eating habits, which include eating animal fats and foods that are high in cholesterol.

If a person understands that some of these prerequisites are present in his life, he needs to be more careful and more attentive to his health. In addition, it is important to detect the onset of the disease in a timely manner.

Symptoms of the disease

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is characterized by symptoms that do not always prompt a person to immediately consult a doctor. These signs may masquerade as other diseases. It is very important to identify them as early as possible and seek help. Symptoms may be as follows:

Chest pain is a reason to see a doctor

chest pain, pressing or burning, may radiate to the back or left shoulder;

shortness of breath, especially manifested at the beginning of pain, sometimes due to lack of air, a person cannot lie down, as this feeling is aggravated in this position to such an extent that a person cannot breathe at all;

dizziness;

nausea;

vomit.

As can be seen, atherosclerosis manifests itself in signs characteristic of coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and cardiosclerosis. Accordingly, you need to imagine how these diseases manifest themselves. For example, with myocardial infarction, there are severe chest pains that resemble angina pectoris, but do not go away after nitroglycerin. Loss of consciousness and manifestations of heart failure are also possible. With cardiosclerosis, edema and shortness of breath appear.

About fifty percent of patients experience some of these symptoms before they have a heart attack, but do not pay attention to them. We must not forget that atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries may not manifest itself for a long time, so you need to be regularly examined, especially for those people who are at risk.

Diagnostic methods

Since very often atherosclerosis of the heart vessels is accompanied by symptoms of coronary artery disease, diagnosis is not difficult. Several methods are used to make an accurate diagnosis.

Device for 24-hour ECG monitoring

ECG, daily ECG monitoring;

echocardiography;

bicycle ergometry, treadmill test;

radionuclide research;

CT scan;

multislice CT;

electron beam tomography.

Without a doubt, a detailed account of the patient about his condition is very important. It is important to list all symptoms, even those that seem minor. This will help to identify diseases associated with atherosclerosis and make an accurate diagnosis, on which the entire direction of treatment will depend.

Treatment

In many ways, treatment depends on the stage of atherosclerosis. If the disease was detected on time, then at the beginning of its development it may be enough to use drugs that lower cholesterol levels. It is also very important to change your lifestyle, which includes reducing stress, moderate exercise and diet.

If during the examination it becomes clear that these methods are not enough, a decision can be made to expand the area of the vessel narrowed due to pathology, otherwise it is called stent implantation. Bypass surgery may also be needed, which involves creating an additional pathway that bypasses the affected area of the heart. Coronary artery bypass surgery is performed if there is a significant narrowing of the main artery that leads to the heart.

You need to understand the following: if shunting is scheduled, it means that there is no other way out. In this case, the lumen of the artery can be narrowed by 75 percent. In some medical institutions, bypass surgery may be offered if the patient has already had a heart attack. This operation is performed under general anesthesia.

In any case, you can not engage in self-treatment. Only a doctor can prescribe the necessary drug therapy or surgery. However, these methods will be of little benefit if you do not follow a diet and do not lead a moderately active lifestyle.

Proper nutrition is the first step towards good health.

Atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels loves unhealthy food, so you do not need to feed it with such. It is better to eat more fruits and vegetables, as they contain a lot of potassium, fiber, folic acid and vitamins. They also do not contain cholesterol and a large amount of kilocalories and fat, which contribute to the development of atherosclerosis. It is advised to consume dairy products, as they contain useful elements. However, this advice should not be extended to butter and sour cream.

If you consult a doctor, you can use the methods of traditional medicine. For example, garlic can be very useful, as it delays the formation of cholesterol plaques. But you need to be careful, as some garlic can cause a strong heartbeat. Such people are advised to purchase preparations based on garlic in a pharmacy.

Some of these treatments are included in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Generally speaking, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle for prevention.

Preventive measures

Atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels especially loves those people who do not take care of themselves. How to avoid it?

An active lifestyle is your longevity

Our heart loves and appreciates being handled with care, which includes caring for the vessels that help it work. It is better to make every effort now to keep yourself in shape than to run to the doctors in search of the right treatment later.

coronary atherosclerosis

IHD - ischemic heart disease - TREATMENT ABROAD - Heart-attack.ru - 2008

Atherosclerosis is a gradual process in which cholesterol plaques (clumps) settle on the walls of the arteries. Cholesterol plaques cause hardening of the walls of the arteries and narrowing of the internal canal of the artery (lumen). Arteries narrowed by atherosclerosis cannot deliver enough blood to keep the parts of the body that they supply functioning properly. For example, atherosclerosis of the arteries causes a decrease in blood flow to the legs.

Reduced blood flow in the legs can, accordingly, cause pain in the legs when walking or exercising, trophic ulcers, and longer healing of wounds on the legs. Atherosclerosis of the arteries that supply blood to the brain can lead to vascular dementia (mental degradation due to the gradual death of brain tissue over many years) or to stroke (sudden death of brain tissue).

For many people, atherosclerosis can remain latent (without symptoms or health problems) for many years or even decades. Atherosclerosis can develop starting in adolescence, but all symptoms and health problems usually appear already during adulthood, when the arteries are already significantly narrowed.

Cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes can accelerate the development of atherosclerosis and lead to earlier symptoms and complications, especially in people with a family history of atherosclerosis at an early age.

Coronary atherosclerosis (or coronary artery disease) denotes atherosclerosis, which causes thickening and narrowing of the coronary arteries. Diseases resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart muscle due to coronary atherosclerosis are called coronary heart disease (CHD).

coronary heart disease include:

heart attacks,
sudden death
chest pain (angina),
abnormal heart rhythms
heart failure due to weakening of the heart muscle.

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the heart vessels
Atherosclerosis coronary arteries is the most common cause of coronary heart disease, which occurs against the background of impaired blood supply to the heart muscle. How myocardial infarction, and angina pectoris are the results of atherosclerosis of the arteries of the heart of varying degrees of severity. In the case of partial blockage of the heart vessels, coronary heart disease of various degrees of severity makes itself felt. If a patient develops a myocardial infarction, it means that the person has a complete blockage of the heart vessels. After reading the information presented in this article, you will be able to get acquainted with the main signs and symptoms that accompany such a pathology as atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart.

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart

Blood enters the region of the heart through two coronary arteries, which depart directly from the very beginning of the aorta, which is the central blood vessel of the human body. Any violation of blood circulation through the coronary heart arteries causes a malfunction of the heart muscle, which in turn leads to the development of a heart attack, that is, the necrosis of one or another part of the heart muscle. The most common cause of the development of such circulatory disorders is considered to be atherosclerosis of these arteries. Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is accompanied by the formation of so-called seals in the arterial walls, which are called plaques. The presence of such seals gradually leads to the fact that the walls of the arteries begin not only to deform, but also to collapse, while their significant narrowing is noted. The degree of narrowing of the arterial lumen, as well as circulatory disorders in this area, play a major role in the severity of the signs of this pathology. It should be noted that all these signs in most cases resemble the symptoms of coronary heart disease, which occurs against the background of just the same disease.

Symptoms accompanying atherosclerosis of the heart vessels

Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart are signs of angina pectoris and coronary heart disease, as well as cardiosclerosis and myocardial infarction. A clear sign of the presence of this pathology is considered to be angina attacks, accompanied by:

Burning or pressing pain in the chest area, which usually radiates to the left shoulder and back. This kind of pain makes itself felt at the time of physical exertion or stressful conditions;
Shortness of breath - a feeling of lack of air is created, which is noted at the time of the onset of pain. Sometimes people are forced to experience this kind of attacks in a sitting position, as they simply suffocate when lying down;
There are also such patients in whom this kind of attacks are also characterized by headache, severe dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

In most cases, this kind of attacks can be stopped with the help of nitroglycerin, since it is this pharmaceutical agent that is the main one in the fight against angina attacks. In the event of a complication of the course of this pathology, symptoms such as:

myocardial infarction
Very strong pain in the chest, similar to pain in angina pectoris, which cannot be eliminated by taking nitroglycerin, a sharp establishment of heart failure, severe shortness of breath, loss of consciousness is quite possible.

Cardiosclerosis
The gradual development of heart failure against the background of physical activity, shortness of breath, as well as excessive swelling.

A chronic disease, the development of which leads to the deposition of lipid clots on the surface of the endothelium is called atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels. Pathology develops slowly, causing ischemic damage to the myocardium, which causes narrowing of the vascular lumen or its complete blockage. In the absence of timely treatment, atherosclerotic changes cause the development of vascular insufficiency, which can cause the death of the patient. It is for this reason that it is necessary to consider in detail the reasons why it develops, what signs it has and how it is treated.

Coronary atherosclerosis is a chronic disease that leads to slow compaction and narrowing of the heart vessels due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the surface of the lining layer of the vessels - the endothelium. The development of pathology can occur over several decades.

The first signs of vascular lesions of atherosclerotic origin usually appear in adolescence, but the pathology begins to progress when people are in middle age. Usually, the first signs of atherosclerosis of the heart arteries begin to appear at the age of 45-55 years.

Atherosclerotic plaques develop due to the accumulation of LDL, which is bad cholesterol.

Fat clots slowly increase and bulge into the coronary lumen. There is a violation of blood flow, in some cases it stops completely. This leads to oxygen starvation of the myocardium, violations of its functions, the development of ischemic lesions.

This pathology has several stages of development:

at the initial stage, there is a slowdown in blood flow, microcracks appear on the vascular endothelium. These changes provoke a slow deposition of fat, so the development of a fatty spot occurs. A decrease in the action of protective functions leads to an increase in the proliferation of vascular walls, the growth of fatty spots and their merging into fatty stripes.
at the next stage, the growth of lipid formations occurs. As a result, atherosclerotic plaques appear on the coronary arteries. This stage is characterized by the development of blood clots, which can break off and block the artery.
at the last stage, the atherosclerotic clot thickens due to the accumulation of calcium salts in them. For this reason, there is a narrowing of the lumen of the artery and its deformation.

The reasons

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart can develop under the influence of endogenous and exogenous causes. Experts identify almost 200 different factors contributing to the development of the disease.

But the most common are:

elevated blood cholesterol levels;
smoking;
arterial hypertension;
sedentary lifestyle;
eating foods rich in saturated fats;
hereditary predisposition;
gender - in women, pathology develops 4 times less often than in men;
age;
obesity;
addiction to alcohol;
diabetes.

Diagnostics

It is possible to identify atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels by conducting an electrocardiogram, on which signs of cardiac ischemia can be determined.

To confirm atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels, it is necessary to conduct a number of studies:

stress scintigraphy - a method that allows you to determine the localization of fat accumulations on the surface of the vascular walls and their condition;
Doppler ultrasound and intravascular ultrasound, which allow to determine changes in the structure of blood vessels, wall thickness, chamber sizes, the presence of departments with impaired contractility, assess hemodynamics and valve morphology;
coronography - an examination of the heart using an x-ray using a contrast agent. The method helps to identify the location, size of the affected areas and the size of the arterial lumen;
stress echography - a method that allows you to identify transient disorders of contractility of the heart muscle in places where there was a violation of blood flow.

Therapy

The treatment of atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels of the heart must be approached comprehensively. It is necessary not only to use the funds prescribed by the doctor, but also to follow a diet. To cure this pathology, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

reduce fat intake by 10%. Exclude butter, lard, trans fats from the menu. They can be replaced with any vegetable oil;
reduce the use of food products containing saturated fatty acids: fatty meat, cream, eggs;
introduce foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids into the diet: fish of any kind, seafood;
eat more foods rich in fiber - fruits and vegetables;
eat less salt.

To cure atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels, drugs belonging to different pharmacological groups are used. Sometimes they are combined.

Statins

Medicines included in this group help to suppress the production of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. It is essential for the production of cholesterol. In addition, it helps to increase the number of membrane receptors that allow you to bind and utilize low-density lipoproteins from the bloodstream. It helps lower cholesterol levels. Statins help to restore the elasticity of the vascular walls and have an anti-inflammatory effect.

The most popular and effective drugs from the statin group are:

Provastatin;
Lovastatin;
Simvastatin;
Atorvastatin;
fluvastatin.

Usually take these funds once a day - in the morning or in the evening. Therapy begins with a minimum dosage, and a month after the start of administration, a dose adjustment is made.

The most common side effects associated with the use of statins are myopathy, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Anion exchange resins

Means belonging to this group bind bile acids, which gives the liver the opportunity to synthesize them using cholesterol. Such funds include:

Questran;
Colestipol;
cholestyramine.

The preparations are made in powder form. They are dissolved in water and drunk during meals 2-3 times a day. Already a month after the start of taking the remedy, the effect of their use becomes noticeable.

The use of these drugs can lead to undesirable effects on the part of the digestive system, such as nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Most often, drugs in this group are prescribed together with statins.

Fibrates

They are prescribed for high levels of triglycerides in the blood. They help to activate the production of an enzyme that promotes the breakdown of low-density lipoproteins. These include:

Benzafibrate;
Gemfibrozil.

These drugs are taken before meals twice a day. Their use can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Sometimes there is muscle weakness and dizziness.

Folk recipes

Therapy of atherosclerosis of the heart vessels with the help of traditional medicine recipes is a rather lengthy process. To reduce the concentration of cholesterol, it is necessary not only to use products prepared from medicinal plants, but also to lead a healthy lifestyle.

To strengthen the walls of blood vessels and reduce the concentration of cholesterol, you need to use:

Garlic. To prepare the medicine, you will need to take 5 large heads. Clean and grind thoroughly. Then mix with May honey, taken in the same volume. Leave the resulting mixture for three days in a dark place. You can store the medicine in the refrigerator. For 6 months, take 2 grams daily before meals in the morning and evening.
Lemon. Pour 10 grams of needles with two glasses of water and boil over low heat for 5 minutes. When the broth has cooled - strain. Peel two lemons and chop thoroughly and pour over the cooled broth. Insist 3 days. Then add 50 grams of May honey and mix well. The drug is taken at 50 milliliters per day. The course of treatment is 3 months.
Onion. 50 milliliters of onion juice should be mixed with 20 milliliters of aloe juice and honey, taken in the same amount. The medicine can be stored in the refrigerator and taken in a teaspoon once a day at night.

When atherosclerosis is detected rather late and threatens the life of the patient, urgent surgical intervention is required to restore impaired blood circulation. Today, two methods are used: shunting and stenting.

Stenting

A frame is installed in the lumen of the coronary vessel, which expands the area with reduced patency. The stent is a cellular metal tube. It is placed inside the affected vessel, then inflated with a special balloon, pressing into the walls.

The operation is performed using local anesthesia. During the intervention, the patient can freely communicate with the specialist and follow his recommendations. A special catheter is used to introduce the stent, conductor and balloon.

Once the balloon has been correctly positioned, the guidewire and catheter are removed. Such an operation is quite effective, but repeated vasoconstriction is possible in 20% of cases. This is due to the overgrowth of muscle tissue.

Shunting

If a patient has a progressive narrowing of the main artery leading to the heart muscle, a coronary artery bypass grafting operation is performed. This manipulation restores blood flow through the installation of shunts - special vascular prostheses. Bypass surgery differs from stenting in that it bypasses narrowed areas.

This operation is very serious and lasts 3-4 hours. During the procedure, a heart-lung machine is used. The recovery period is quite long. If the patient does not follow all the recommendations of specialists and stops taking the medication on his own, a relapse is possible.

Complications

In the case when atherosclerotic plaques affect several vessels at once, this can be fatal. In addition, death can be provoked by a rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque. Most often this happens in the winter in the morning, shortly after waking up. This happens due to excessive physical activity or severe stress.

This leads to fluctuations in the tone of the coronary artery, increased blood flow, a sharp increase in blood pressure and the frequency of myocardial contractions. In addition, blood clotting is affected.

When there is a blockage of the lumen of the artery, death occurs. In 60% of cases, the death of the patient occurs even before arrival at the hospital. In the case of partial damage to the vessel, unstable angina appears.

The disease can be complicated by myocardial infarction, which has characteristic features:

the appearance of a sharp pain in the chest, radiating to the back;
lowering blood pressure;
dyspnea;
fainting.

In this case, immediate hospitalization and resuscitation are needed.

Important! Cardiosclerosis is another complication. With its development, myocardial cells are replaced by scar tissue, which ceases to take part in contractions of the heart muscle and leads to excessive stress on the heart.

The following signs indicate the development of atherosclerosis:

General weakness;
Dyspnea;
The appearance of edema;
Pain in the heart, aggravated by physical exertion;
Arrhythmia.

Prevention

To prevent atherosclerosis of the vessels, you need to follow simple recommendations:

eradicate bad habits;
adhere to proper nutrition;
exercise and take walks in the fresh air;
normalize body weight;
treat infectious diseases in a timely manner.

Only a specialist with a narrow profile can make a diagnosis, based on the results obtained after carrying out diagnostic measures.