How to effectively treat and prevent the development of vascular atherosclerosis: modern methods and alternative medicine. Atherosclerosis. Diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Atherosclerosis is a disease of blood vessels when cholesterol plaques accumulate in their lumen.

Therefore, blood circulation slows down, oxygen, nutrients do not enrich the body.

The brain also suffers from this. Due to the fact that the cost of drugs is high, patients find an alternative. They treat atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels folk remedies.

Why does this disease occur?

Any disease does not appear simply, atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries is no exception. Possible causes of this ailment may be the reasons:

• Unbalanced nutrition. We can say that the main reason. A lot of fatty foods contribute to the deposition of cholesterol plaques, which were mentioned earlier.
• Lifestyle. Movement is life. Therefore, a person needs to move more and the vessels will be normal, thanks to good blood flow. In addition, excess weight will not appear.
• Drinking alcohol and smoking. These habits only clog the body and disrupt its normal functioning.
• With the biological age of a person, the body also ages and wears out. Even if there are no diseases, the vessels still weaken, and the blood thickens.
• Diabetes.
• Heredity. This question refers to circulatory diseases. They can become the main cause of atherosclerosis.
• If a person is under constant stress. This state spends a lot vitality, therefore, failures occur in other body systems.

If a person regularly exercises and leads healthy lifestyle life, the risk of atherosclerosis is reduced.

Symptoms of vascular diseases

Signs of sclerosis of cerebral vessels are quite diverse and manifest themselves in different ways for everyone.

The clinical picture becomes brighter as new plaques appear and the old ones increase in size, new symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis join the already identified symptoms.

Common symptoms of cerebral sclerosis include:

• headaches from small to intense and prolonged;
• sleep problems - difficulty falling asleep, nocturnal awakenings for no reason, nightmares, drowsiness during the day;
• excessive anxiety, increased suspicion and nervous excitability;
• fatigue and reduced performance due to this;
• deterioration of memory, coordination;
• speech loses clarity, while eating you can choke.

Even one of these symptoms is a reason to see a doctor who knows what it is and how it is treated. The disease develops gradually, the signs of cerebral atherosclerosis depend on the stage of the disease.

At the stage of primary manifestations, atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels reveals itself episodically - as a rule, after overwork, long stay in a stuffy room. A person may complain of headaches, dizziness and tinnitus. Stronger symptoms of atherosclerosis of the brain appear in the afternoon, rest helps to remove discomfort.

At the developmental stage, the previous clinical picture intensifies, complemented by trembling hands, unsteady gait, depression, suspiciousness and deterioration in pronunciation of words.

A person often chokes while eating, tends to overestimate his abilities, and blames others for failures. Close people should not make a scandal - this is the wrong decision. If atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels is suspected, the symptoms and treatment are the competence of the doctor, and without his help, the problems will only increase.

At the stage of decompensation, a person cannot do without outside help, his memory is impaired, his mental abilities are seriously impaired, and the patient is almost unable to take care of himself.

Close people should understand that sclerotic plaques in the brain are to blame, at this stage there is a high risk of stroke and paralysis against its background. Therefore, you need to consult your doctor about atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels, symptoms, treatment and provide comprehensive support to your loved one.

The state of transient ischemic attack resembles a stroke, but during the day the manifestations of this attack usually disappear. Depending on the location of the affected area of ​​the artery, atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels manifests itself: numbness of the tongue, unruly limbs, inability to pronounce some words.

In an ischemic stroke caused by blockage of a vessel by atherosclerotic plaque, brain cells die. The symptoms of this condition may vary depending on the location of the blocked vessel.

Signs that atherosclerosis of the arteries of the brain has led to a stroke will be the following conditions:

• lack of motor activity and sensitivity in the limbs;
• speech disorders;
• loss of coordination, dizziness.

It is important to consider that ischemic stroke occurs in approximately 70% of all strokes, the remaining 30% are cases hemorrhagic stroke. The second condition is not caused by a blockage in an artery, but by a hemorrhage in the brain.

By signs, it is difficult to identify the type of stroke, but it is important, since first aid and treatment will be different. Therefore, patients with cerebral sclerosis need to be on the alert, in case of deterioration of the condition, immediately call an ambulance.

How is atherosclerosis diagnosed?

If the doctor, based on the patient's complaints, suspects atherosclerosis of the brain, prescribes diagnostic procedures, including:

• vascular angiography. More often, this type of study is prescribed for an already established disease as an additional diagnosis to assess the condition of compacted vascular walls;
• Ultrasound of intracranial vessels or transcranial dopplerography;
• Ultrasound of extracranial vessels, duplex scanning.

The listed diagnostic measures are characterized by safety, are prescribed in parallel with laboratory tests.

The results obtained make it possible to identify atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries, cholesterol levels, and to obtain complete information about the state of health.

Treatment of the disease with folk remedies

Diagnosed atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, its treatment can be carried out with folk remedies and drugs.

The doctor will prescribe medications that will help eliminate all manifestations of the disease and improve general state organism, but some of them can provoke the appearance of side effects.

But grandmother's remedies for atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels are less dangerous. Because they contain only natural components from which the body does not suffer.

In order for the result of treatment to be positive, the patient must comply with the following rules:

• Proper nutrition. During the period of this disease, you should review your daily menu and exclude all fatty and high-calorie foods from it. It is necessary to replace all animal fats with vegetable oil. Add more fresh fruits and vegetables to your menu.
• Physical therapy procedures. All loads improve the circulatory system. In addition, regular morning exercises will help normalize blood circulation.
• Compliance with work / rest.

How are traditional methods of treatment applied?

There are folk remedies for atherosclerosis, and there are a lot of them, for example:

• Recipe with honey. Mix lemon juice, vegetable oil and honey. This mixture should be taken on an empty stomach.
• Dill treatment. To prepare the infusion, pour eighteen grams (one tablespoon) of dill seeds, two hundred and fifty milligrams of boiling water, and let it brew. It should be taken four times, one tablespoon each.
• To remove cholesterol from the blood, you can use ripe cherries. It is necessary to pour a kilogram of peeled berries with boiled milk and consume them throughout the day.
• To prevent the appearance of cholesterol plaques, it is necessary to drink one glass of hawthorn juice in the morning.
• Horseradish. This tool is good if you grate it, add sour cream and mix.
• Seaweed. Consume a small amount of along with every meal.

To remove all cholesterol from the vessels, it is better to drink a glass or two of boiling water on an empty stomach.

If you are cooking remedy from a medicinal plant, try to harvest no more than one day, because on the second day, it may lose its medicinal qualities.

Healing tinctures and decoctions

Treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis can be carried out using many recipes that our grandmothers knew.

1. Lofant. Pour two hundred milliliters of water, eighteen grams (one tablespoon) of dry lofant and cook over medium heat for ten minutes after it boils. Leave to cool for forty minutes. Then you should strain and dissolve one spoonful of honey in the broth. The dose is as follows, three times a day, one hour before meals, two tablespoons. The course of such therapy lasts thirty days, then seven days off and again thirty days of treatment.
2. Collection of medicinal plants. To treat the disease in this way, you need to take: chamomile flowers, hawthorn, calendula flowers, knotweed, motherwort, cudweed. It is necessary to pour one spoon of each plant into a thermos and pour a liter jar of boiling water. Insist six hours. After cooling, strain and pour into a jar. Add a half liter bottle of vodka and a half liter jar of honey there. Mix everything and leave for a day. Drink thirty milligrams, each time before meals, but not more than three times a day.
3. Dog-rose fruit. Pour it into a jar, half a liter, so that one third remains empty to the top. Fill with vodka to the very top and leave for fourteen days, but stir every day. After this time, strain the tincture. How to use: on a piece of refined sugar, drip twenty drops, this should be done three times a day.
4. The cyanosis is blue. It is necessary in half a liter of boiling water, pour forty grams of dry roots of this plant, put on a steam bath and hold for ten minutes. Strain after cooling. Take at intervals of four hours, a tablespoon.
5. Mulberry. A recipe with this component will help people suffering from intracranial pressure. It is necessary to take branches, finely break and measure out two large spoons. Pour them into a thermos, pour a liter of boiling water there and leave overnight. Take one hundred and fifty milliliters before meals, but not more than three times a day. It takes sixty days to be treated in this way.
6. Garlic. You will need one lemon and one head of garlic. Washed lemon (it is better not to peel it), together with peeled garlic, put in a blender and grind. After that, the mixture is diluted with water, in the amount of half a liter, and infused for four days. Take two tablespoons on an empty stomach.

Second recipe. It will take one liter of vodka and four heads of garlic. Peel the garlic, finely chop and pour it into vodka, leave for twenty-seven days. After this time, the tincture must be filtered and the sediment removed. The beginning of the treatment of vascular atherosclerosis with such a remedy looks like this.

You need to start with one drop per glass of milk, then add one drop every day until the dose reaches twenty-five drops. Do not change the dose for five days, and then start reducing by one drop per day.

1. Collection of medicinal plants. You will need: leaves from a birch tree, hawthorn, medicinal letter, kidney tea leaves. Take each two large spoons. To them it is necessary to add: immortelle, oregano, goose cinquefoil, rose hips - in the amount of one tablespoon. St. John's wort, take three tablespoons. Flax grains, peppermint - half a spoon each. Mix everything well, then take two and a half large spoons of this composition, pour into a thermos and pour boiling water, at the rate of half a liter. Close and insist overnight. It is necessary to take this: divide the remedy into three parts and drink everything in one day.
2. Hawthorn fruits. Steam the fruits in a cup and take before meals, thirty milliliters each.

Juices to help with therapy

You can get rid of atherosclerosis with folk remedies using various juices from plants and berries. Do not forget about simple fruit and vegetable juices, which must be included in the daily diet.

• Potato juice. You should squeeze the juice from one potato and drink it before meals, on an empty stomach.
• Plantain. It is necessary to take the leaves of a freshly plucked plant, grind and squeeze out the juice. Take juice and honey in equal proportions, boil for twenty minutes. Take two tablespoons per day.
• Earlier we already mentioned cherries, and so, its juice is also useful.
• Carrot + celery. Combine these two juices in equal proportions and take on an empty stomach.
• Rare. One tablespoon of fresh juice, good to take on an empty stomach, it will help with plaque.
• Hawthorn. This remedy is good, even in the form of juice. To prepare it, grind fresh berries in a blender and strain the juice.

Any juice must be consumed only fresh, because already on the second day its properties will not be so useful.

Normalization of cholesterol

An elevated level of lipids in the blood causes the development of ischemic strokes - triglycerides corrode the walls of blood vessels, rendering them unusable. For treatment cerebral atherosclerosis statins are used - the doctor selects the drug, taking into account the level of cholesterol in the blood, indications and side effects.

Effective - Pravastatin, Rosuvastatin, Atorvastatin. If the blood vessels of the brain are affected by atherosclerosis, Pravastin becomes the drug of choice; antibiotics and alcohol should not be taken against its background. It is not surprising that doctors study the contraindications of the drug, a drug from the statin group is prescribed only after studying the work of the kidneys.

Lipitor and Leskol are statins with increased toxicity, which is why they are rarely prescribed. If necessary, take drugs that regulate cholesterol levels for a long time, new generation drugs are prescribed - cerivastin, atorvastin.

Regulation of fat metabolism

Drugs from the fibrate group (Fenofibrate, Gemfibrozil, Fiprofibrat) help to fight. Statins are combined with fibrates. If, according to the results of the tests, a high level of cholesterol in the blood is detected, fibrates are normalized, protecting the body from the formation of blood clots and blockage of blood vessels.

Drugs for the treatment of cerebral atherosclerosis are prescribed to fat people who have a metabolic syndrome. There are drugs and side effects, so they are not prescribed to patients with impaired functioning of the kidneys and liver.

Among the side effects, those who took Ciprofibrate and Gemfibrozil noted muscle pain, problems with the stomach. In addition to fighting lipids, fibrates destroy free radicals and prevent blood clots from forming.

Tablets from ischemic syndrome

When prescribing pills for atherosclerosis, the doctor does not forget about antiplatelet agents - drugs that prevent platelets from sticking together. Improve the condition of Heparin, Dipyridamole, Pentoxifylline. Ticlopidin stabilizes the condition - relieves pressure surges and headaches, improves blood microcirculation.

Theonicol is prescribed to prevent thrombosis and accelerate recovery period in patients after ischemic stroke. Simple and accessible means that prevents thrombosis is acetylsalicylic acid. Contraindications to taking aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) - diseases of the liver, stomach.

Nicotinic acid from atherosclerosis

Changes in the vessels of the head in atherosclerosis are accompanied by circulatory disorders and a subsequent increase in the neurotic syndrome. In this case, nicotinic acid or, as it is also called, vitamin PP will help regulate metabolism.

The drug is prescribed to patients who cannot restore normal blood circulation by physical activity due to old age and other reasons. Vitamin PP regulates fat metabolism, normalizes cholesterol levels, improves blood circulation, increases mental activity and improves memory.

Patients after a stroke quickly recover by taking nicotinic acid. Contraindications to taking vitamin PP are pathologies of the liver and stomach, heart and lungs, and intestines.

Normalization of cerebral circulation

To improve cerebral circulation in atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, drugs are prescribed that have an antispasmodic effect that improves blood circulation.

Sermion eliminates pain of a vascular nature, activates the metabolism in the brain. Flunarizine helps with vasospasm, improves oxygen supply to brain tissues. Trental is an angioprotective agent that reduces blood viscosity. Trental is prescribed for patients with acute circulatory disorders. Contraindications are hypertension, cerebral sclerosis.

The herbal preparation Tanakan has no contraindications, therefore it is often prescribed for normalization metabolic processes in brain tissues. The effect is obtained if the drugs are correctly combined with a diet and physical activity recommended by the doctor.

Surgical treatment

Not in every case, when cerebral atherosclerosis is detected, treatment is carried out with medication. If during the diagnosis a single narrowing is found in a large main artery, an operation is indicated.

Often the doctor chooses endarterectomy - dissection of the vessel wall with subsequent removal of the thrombus. At the end of the invasive manipulations, the machine is sewn together.

An alternative treatment for cerebral atherosclerosis is balloon plasty. Unlike the previous option, there will be no sutures, as well as the risk of re-formation of a cholesterol plaque at the site of the operation.

The procedure is for modern ways, an angiography of the vessels is performed before it. During an angiography, the doctor detects plaques in the vessels of the brain, which will be cleaned during the operation. Based on the x-ray image, the doctor makes a prediction about the type and extent of the intervention.

As a result of the operation, the following steps are performed:

• a catheter with a balloon through the artery is carried out to the site of narrowing of the vessel;
• in a specified place, the balloon is inflated with air;
• so that the dilated artery does not narrow, a frame is installed.

The installation of the stent in the vessel is carried out under the control of the endoscope. After the expansion of the lumen, the blood flow normalizes, and the plaque itself is not removed, but is pressed into the intima by a balloon. Such a treatment procedure normalizes the patient's condition without complications.

Given the chronic nature of such a pathology as cerebral vascular sclerosis, it is not possible to treat with balloons and stents if many arteries are damaged. If the process is running, the symptoms of atherosclerosis are eliminated with medication.

When asked by patients whether it is possible to cure atherosclerosis with pills, doctors give a negative answer. Medicines do not dissolve plaques, but help to expand the lumen of blood vessels and strengthen their walls, improving blood circulation.

In addition to the fact that there are domestic folk methods of treatment, there are also foreign ones. For example:

• Methods of Tibet. It should be peeled and finely chopped garlic cloves in the amount of two hundred grams, then pour a glass of vodka, and let it brew for ten days. Apply in the morning and evening. The first dose should be one drop, then every day add another one, and so on for ten days, and then start to reduce one by one.
• French way. They advise mixing white wine (six hundred milliliters), onion juice(one hundred milliliters), honey (one hundred milliliters). Consume one tablespoon once a day.

In addition to such recipes, dietary supplements (biologically active additives) are very popular today. However, when buying them, you must be very careful not to purchase a fake.

As mentioned earlier, a cup of boiling water drunk on an empty stomach will help a lot.

Massages and acupuncture are recommended. But here you need to find a specialist who will become your doctor for a while. Exclude fatty meat, eggs, canned food, chocolate, coffee, strong tea from products and reduce the amount of salt.

How to cure atherosclerosis with folk remedies

Some older people often experience dizziness, general impotence, and persistent tinnitus. Such signs in most cases indicate the development of atherosclerosis, which can be successfully treated with folk remedies.

Honey

From this disease, a tincture based on natural May honey helps well. To prepare it, you need to mix 25 grams of honey with 1 onion, crushed into gruel. Take the medicine in the morning on an empty stomach, as well as a few minutes before lunch and dinner.

In addition, another method of treatment can be used here. Namely, start drinking a teaspoon of vegetable oil on an empty stomach in the morning, and eat 20 grams of honey along with three walnuts in the evening.

Such treatment will be especially effective when fatty foods are excluded from the diet, such as dishes from lamb, ham, pork, soups and borscht with rich broth.

Nettle baths

A rather unusual practice, however, no less effective is nettle baths. The most effective in the treatment of obliterating atherosclerosis, which occurs, as a rule, in smokers due to blockage of blood vessels by nicotine. For one bath, you need to collect about a bag of nettle, scatter it on the bottom of the bath, pour water so that it completely covers it. Wait 30 minutes. Pour some more cold water into the bath so that the person can sit in it. Immersed in water, stay in it for half an hour. There should be 10 such procedures in total. However, this is recommended only for those people who are used to swimming in cold water.

clover flowers

Eliminate atherosclerosis in the elderly also helps alcohol tincture aged on clover flowers. It is easy to cook it yourself, following these rules:

Pour 10 grams of dried flowers of the specified plant into a jar. Pour them with 2.5 cups of 40% ethyl alcohol (which can replace ordinary vodka). Infuse the medicine for 10 days. Then strain and start drinking 3 times 20 ml of infusion per day. Continue treatment for 3 months, then take a break for six months and repeat everything again.

Sophora japonica

This recipe is very old, and therefore is passed down by healers from generation to generation. An infusion of Japanese Sophora is prepared very simply: one glass of pre-crushed plant pods is immersed in 500 ml of vodka (40-degree) and all this is insisted for exactly 41 days (preferably in the refrigerator). Drink 20 ml of alcohol infusion before meals, following a 3-time intake schedule per day. The admission period is 3 months. After the specified period, the patient will stop tinnitus and stop sudden dizziness.

How to treat atherosclerosis

Patients who were first diagnosed with such a diagnosis, first of all, ask doctors how to treat atherosclerosis. To which the doctors answer them that this disease is curable, all that needs to be done is to follow their recommendations. In this article, you will learn about how to treat vascular atherosclerosis. Many patients are worried about whether atherosclerosis can be cured, doctors reassure them, because this disease is curable.

First of all, the treatment of atherosclerosis consists in a complete change in the usual way of life. Physicians urge patients to stop smoking and use alcoholic drinks. A special place in the complex treatment of atherosclerosis is occupied by a change in diet and proper, and most importantly healthy nutrition. In addition, doctors recommend that their patients engage in more physical activity. Namely, go to the gym, or play sports. In addition, you can attend sessions therapeutic massage. So, the main reason that provokes the development of atherosclerosis is an uncorrected lifestyle. Namely, excessive drinking, smoking, improper high-calorie nutrition. If you change this lifestyle, you can easily overcome this disease.

As for the drug treatment of atherosclerosis, it is based on the use of special medications that are aimed at expanding the affected vessels. When conservative treatments fail positive effect doctors resort to surgery. Surgery is performed when the patient's pain becomes unbearable. During surgical intervention doctors simply remove the affected vessels. As a rule, after the operation, the well-being and general condition of the patient improves significantly. It should be noted that in addition to mandatory drug therapy, doctors also prescribe the use of various vitamins to support and restore the body.

In conclusion, I would like to say that the treatment of atherosclerosis is a long and complex process. The effectiveness of which depends on the degree of interest not only of the patient, but also of the attending physician. Remember, at the first symptoms this disease should contact a specialist immediately. After all, the sooner treatment of atherosclerosis is started, the sooner you can get rid of it.

What is atherosclerosis and what are its consequences

My blog is devoted not only and so much to vegetative-vascular dystonia, but to the issues of a healthy lifestyle, which, in turn, is inseparable from such significant topics as proper nutrition and maintaining proper physical shape. These factors play the biggest role in maintaining correct exchange substances in our body.

Atherosclerosis in the vast majority of cases develops as a result of metabolic disorders, begins imperceptibly, does not manifest itself for quite a long time, but then “falls down” on a person in the form of serious diseases that threaten his life. It is impossible to completely cure atherosclerosis, there is only the possibility of somewhat slowing down its progression, unless, of course, it is still too late. That is why it is important for even a healthy person to know what this disease is, what are its symptoms and consequences. In fact, a person may not even suspect that after a while he may have serious problems with blood vessels, cardiovascular diseases, or a violation cerebral circulation.

Until recently, I did not attach importance to the recommendations of doctors to pay attention to high cholesterol. conclusions like “manifestations of atherosclerosis in the initial stage” did not have a special effect on me, I only had enough for a couple of weeks of an anti-cholesterol diet and a short attempt to once again “tie up” smoking. Up to the moment when I was diagnosed with coronary heart disease and I found out that atherosclerosis is the cause of all my troubles. Since then, I have learned “a lot of interesting things” about this disease and am now in a “state of war” with atherosclerosis. Unfortunately, he will still defeat me, but let it not be as soon as he wants. I won't give up without a fight!

What contributes to the development of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a disease of middle and old age. Most often, atherosclerosis affects men, women are less at risk, but with the onset of menopause, when female hormone estrogen no longer protects the vessels, a woman's chances of getting atherosclerosis increase dramatically.

Atherosclerosis can develop due to hereditary predisposition, but most often the culprit of vascular damage is a metabolic disorder in the body. Diseases such as gout. diabetes mellitus, cholelithiasis and obesity are extremely conducive to the development of atherosclerosis. Do not forget that all these diseases are associated with metabolism!

A separate point should be noted smoking. Ceteris paribus, smokers are much more likely to suffer from atherosclerosis, and in a smoker, atherosclerosis progresses much faster!

Stress and some types of professional activity also contribute to the appearance of atherosclerotic vascular lesions.

There is a theory that atherosclerosis can develop as a complication of some sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, syphilis), but the evidence base is still insufficient.

How does atherosclerosis develop?

Cholesterol and some other fats contained in the blood begin to gradually settle on the walls of the vessels, while narrowing their lumen and making the walls of the vessels rigid (stenosis). Some substances (for example, nicotine or uric acid, the level of which is elevated in gout) can “corrode” the walls of blood vessels, erosion or a small ulcer forms in this place. The body immediately tries to correct the situation and “closes up” the wound with cholesterol. As a result, this place is formed atherosclerotic plaque. Over time, especially if the level of cholesterol in the blood is above the norm, more and more fat deposits grow on this plaque. The lumen of the vessel narrows and a violation of the blood supply to any organ or tissue area develops.

Consequences of atherosclerosis

When the lumen of the vessel narrows by three quarters, a person begins to feel the symptoms of oxygen starvation of any organ. Which one exactly? It depends on which vessel the plaque has formed. If there is a narrowing of the coronary arteries, coronary heart disease appears. if plaques form in the carotid arteries, then cerebrovascular accident develops; if the renal artery has undergone stenosis, the kidneys suffer, and so on. But stenosis can also develop in the arteries that supply blood to the limbs, and then the muscles of the legs or arms suffer. Atherosclerosis can even affect the genitals, I think I don’t have to explain what the patient expects in this case.

But this is a “long” scheme for the development of atherosclerosis and its complications. For the patient, everything can end sadly and much earlier than the plaque completely blocks the blood vessel. The fact is that the surface of the plaque itself can also be broken. Then, in this place, blood clots begin to form, which “close up” the impulse, a so-called thrombus is formed. He can for a short time block the already narrowed vessel and completely disrupt the blood supply, for example, to the heart. In this case, the patient is waiting for myocardial infarction.

Also, a thrombus or part of it can break away from the plaque and the blood flow will pick up the clot and carry it further in the circle of blood circulation. In this case, the thrombus will certainly block some narrower vessel and, in this place, the supply of oxygen to the tissues will again be disrupted. For example, a brain stroke develops. The larger the diameter of the detached thrombus, the larger the diameter of the vessel loses blood. Accordingly, the consequences for the body are more serious.

But that's not all. The “older” the plaque, the stiffer its walls – the plaques calcify over time. Old plaques with sharp edges are especially dangerous. It may happen that a small piece of the plaque breaks off (for example, with an increase in blood pressure) and is carried away by the bloodstream. The consequences will be exactly the same as in the case of a blood clot.

This is such a sad picture. It becomes especially unhappy when the patient finds out that atherosclerosis cannot be cured and atherosclerotic plaque can only be removed surgically.

That is why it is very important to lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right and monitor your cholesterol levels, especially if you are already over 35 years old and especially for men.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis

As I said earlier, atherosclerosis is a chronic and slowly progressive disease. For quite a long time (several years, or even decades), atherosclerosis practically does not manifest itself in any way. The first symptoms appear in the form of characteristic complications: cerebrovascular accident (dizziness, headaches), coronary heart disease (chest pain, shortness of breath, angina pectoris), renal failure or intermittent claudication (pain in calf muscles when walking). We have already discussed these and other complications above.

Diagnosis of atherosclerosis

As a rule, signs of atherosclerosis are found by chance, during routine examinations or examinations for other diseases. This is either high cholesterol in the blood, or a suspicion of the presence of atherosclerotic plaques according to the results of ultrasound.

For middle-aged men, especially those who smoke and lead a rather passive lifestyle, and especially those who are overweight, the following examination can be recommended:

• Blood test for cholesterol (complete lipid profile). Details in the article on the norms of cholesterol in the blood.
• Dopplerography of vessels
• Ultrasound of neck vessels (carotid arteries)
• Ultrasound of the heart

Believe me, the sooner signs of atherosclerosis are detected, the more likely it is to avoid deadly complications!

Well, if during the examination you nevertheless found signs of atherosclerosis, then you need to change your existing lifestyle without delay and engage in treatment. And first of all, it is necessary to normalize the level of cholesterol in the blood. How to do this in the next post.

What is atherosclerosis and what are its consequences Vascular atherosclerosis - symptoms, manifestations, treatment. Personal experience Available about the disease atherosclerosis: symptoms of vascular atherosclerosis, diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Remedies for atherosclerosis. Diaries of my medical history Atherosclerosis symptoms. Stroke of the brain. Myocardial infarction. Metabolic disease. Cholesterol

Diagnostics atherosclerosis is reduced to laboratory and instrumental research. The purpose of the research is not only to confirm the atherosclerotic process, but also to clarify its localization.

The goals of diagnostics are:

• detection of atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels;
• clarification of the place of atherosclerotic plaque and its extent;
• identification of the degree of atherosclerotic process;

• assessment of the state of organs, most often the heart and brain;
• identification of the main factors of atherosclerosis and the fight against them;
• determination of further treatment tactics.

Laboratory diagnosis of atherosclerosis

This diagnosis is reduced to the detection of lipid metabolism disorders.

main parameters laboratory diagnostics lipid metabolism

Parameter	Deviation from the norm
total cholesterol	Values ​​between 5.17 and 6.20 millimoles per liter are considered borderline high; Methods of instrumental diagnostics are: radiography of the heart and blood vessels; angiography; Radiography of the heart and blood vessels X-ray examination of the heart and its vessels is the oldest diagnostic method. It helps to identify changes in the cardiovascular system due to atherosclerosis. However, these changes are detected already when the cardiovascular system has undergone serious changes. Atherosclerotic changes that are detected on the x-ray are: Aortic dilation- observed with severe atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension. On a radiographic picture, this is expressed in an increase in the shadow of the aorta diameter; Aortic calcification- a frequent occurrence of advanced atherosclerosis. In the picture it looks like small light spots in the shadow of the aorta; aortic aneurysm- is detected by local expansion of the shadow of the aortic arch, and if fluoroscopy is performed, then in addition, increased pulsation is detected; Secondary signs in the form of venous congestion in the lungs, strengthening or weakening of the pulmonary pattern; Expanding the boundaries of the heart(most often its left border), due to high blood pressure. Angiography This is a method of examining the heart and its vessels (including the coronary arteries) using a contrast agent. A contrast agent is a drug that is injected into the bloodstream and evenly distributed throughout the circulatory system. Next, either an x-ray or computed tomography is performed, which reveals this substance. Where there is an obstruction, narrowing or other defect, it is visualized as darkening against a light background of a contrast agent. A variant of angiography is arteriography lower extremities. The method is especially indispensable in the diagnosis of obliterating atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. During the procedure, a contrast agent is injected into the blood vessel, which stains the lumen of the vessel. The passage of the substance through the vessels can be traced during X-ray or computed tomography. In this case, not only the place is visualized, but also the extent of the damage, the size and even the shape of the atherosclerotic plaque. The use of arteriography is limited in people with kidney failure and heart failure. dopplerography It is the gold standard in the diagnosis of vascular atherosclerosis. This method is based on the principle ultrasound. The method allows you to assess the size of the vessels, to assess the atherosclerotic narrowing or the place of occlusion (blockage). Also, which is very important, Dopplerography allows you to identify the speed of blood flow in the blood vessels and its nature. Thus, this method allows you to assess the risk for developing a stroke or heart attack. Dopplerography also assesses the condition of the vessels, determining the places of sclerosis, deformations and the percentage of their patency in them. The patency of blood vessels by less than 30 percent is an indicator for surgical intervention. On the initial stages atherosclerosis in the vessels, only narrowings are noted, but later their sclerosis occurs. Atherosclerosis in the international classification of diseases of the 10th revision (ICD-10) According to international classification atherosclerosis refers to the pathology of the circulatory system. It is encoded with the code I70 and includes the following clinical forms. Forms of atherosclerosis according to ICD-10 are: atherosclerosis of the aorta - I70.0; atherosclerosis of the renal artery - I70.1; atherosclerosis of the arteries of the limb - I70.2; atherosclerosis of other arteries - I70.8; generalized atherosclerosis - I70.9. How to treat atherosclerosis? In the treatment of atherosclerosis, medicinal and non-drug therapies are used. The main point is the elimination of risk factors that contribute to the progression of the disease. In drug treatment, cholesterol-lowering drugs, vasodilating drugs, and other metabolic-enhancing drugs are used. The principles of atherosclerosis treatment are: elimination of the main risk factors - dyslipidemia, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure; preventing the development of complicated atherosclerotic plaque; prevention of complete occlusion and vasoconstriction. Treatment methods for atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease, so its treatment is complex. The treatments for atherosclerosis are: drug treatment of atherosclerosis; diet therapy for atherosclerosis; surgical treatment of atherosclerosis; folk methods of treatment of atherosclerosis. Medical treatment of atherosclerosis Cholesterol lowering agents This group of drugs is relatively new. They became available only from the middle of the 20th century. However, these drugs have already proved their effectiveness in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Their use contributes to a significant reduction in cholesterol levels, as well as reducing the risk of myocardial infarction. Groups of drugs that lower cholesterol levels are: statins - lovastatin, simvastatin; fibrates - clofibrate, fenofibrate; derivatives of bile acids - cholestyramine. To date, the most effective recognized drugs from the group of statins. These medicines are obtained from the fungus Aspergilus terreus or are synthesized synthetically. They are also much less likely to be complicated by side effects. Most often there is flatulence, diarrhea, taste disorders. The most dangerous side effect is liver damage and elevated liver enzymes. Therefore, if treatment with statins continues for more than 2 months, it is necessary to control the level of these enzymes in the blood. If the level of these enzymes is increased by more than 3 times, treatment should be noted. Another significant disadvantage of statins is their cost. Unfortunately, treatment with original drugs is not for everyone. Therefore, today on the pharmaceutical market you can find drugs that are identical in chemical structure, but produced by other pharmaceutical companies. The most famous such drug is Simvastol, manufactured by Gedeon-Richter. Medications that lower cholesterol Name of the drug Mechanism of action How to use? Simvastatin Helps reduce high cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels. The result appears in 2-3 weeks. Inside once a day, at a dose of 5 ( half a tablet) up to 10 milligrams ( one tablet). A frequent side effect is an increase in the level of liver enzymes, so treatment should be carried out under the strict supervision of a specialist. Lovastatin It inhibits the stages of synthesis of both cholesterol and lipoproteins. The lipid-lowering effect develops after 4 weeks. Inside, from 20 to 40 milligrams, which is equal to one or two tablets. The dose is taken once with a meal. Clofibrate Inhibits release fatty acids and the synthesis of cholesterol from them. Prevents the entry of low-density lipoproteins into the blood. It is taken orally at 500 - 750 milligrams, which is equivalent to 2 - 3 capsules. The drug is taken three times a day, after meals. Cholestyramine It prevents the absorption of fatty acids from the intestines and the subsequent synthesis of cholesterol from them. Inside before meals, twice a day. The dose ranges from 4 to 24 grams per day. Today it is generally accepted that treatment with cholesterol-lowering drugs should be taken by all patients with coronary heart disease. First, they inhibit the synthesis of cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins. And secondly, they reduce the volume of the lipid core, thereby preventing the development of a complicated atherosclerotic plaque. Means that dilate blood vessels and improve blood circulation Drugs from this group improve the rheological properties of blood, helping to reduce thrombosis. Medications that improve blood circulation Name of the drug Mechanism of action How to use? Pentoxifylline Expands blood vessels and improves blood circulation. It also prevents platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. 100 - 200 milligrams three times a day, no more than 2 weeks. Also administered intravenously. Cardiomagnyl Thins the blood, preventing the formation of blood clots and blockage of blood vessels. One tablet ( 75 milligrams) daily, by mouth. If previously there was a myocardial infarction, then 2 tablets ( 150 milligrams) daily. Actovegin Stimulates oxygen consumption by tissues, improves metabolism, especially in ischemic tissues. Intravenous drip of 250 - 500 milliliters of solution for infusion daily for 14 days. Clopidogrel Suppresses the activation of platelets, preventing the formation of blood clots. Inside, 75 milligrams per day. If atherosclerosis is combined with diabetes mellitus, then an essential step in the treatment is the elimination of a high concentration of glucose. For this, various sugar-lowering drugs are used. The use of these drugs is no less important than cholesterol-lowering therapy. It is the level of glucose in the blood that determines the rate of development of complications in atherosclerosis. Examples of hypoglycemic drugs and their doses are: Metformin (Siofor)- the starting dose is 1-2 tablets (500-1000 mg), the maximum daily dose is 6 tablets (3000 mg); Glibenclamide (maninil)- treatment begins with one tablet per day (3.5 mg), after which the dose is increased to 2-3 tablets; Gliclazide (diabeton)- the initial dose is 1 tablet per day, after 2-3 days the dose is doubled, the maximum daily dose is 4 tablets; Glimepiride (amaril)- the starting dose of the drug is equal to one tablet of 1 mg or half a tablet of 2 mg, then the dose is increased every 10 days. Contraindications to taking hypoglycemic agents are pathologies of the liver and kidneys. Diet for atherosclerosis An important link in the treatment of atherosclerosis is diet. Nutrition for this metabolic disorder should be balanced and provide the body with all the necessary resources. The development of atherosclerosis is due to an increase in the volume of low-density cholesterol. But with food, this substance comes in small quantities, the rest of its volume is synthesized by the body on its own. Also, the human body has the ability to maintain cholesterol in a dissolved state, which prevents the formation of cholesterol plaques. Therefore, nutrition in atherosclerosis is based on several principles that ensure the balance of cholesterol in the body. The rules of the diet for atherosclerosis are: control of cholesterol intake; restriction of products that contribute to the production of cholesterol; eating foods that help neutralize excess cholesterol. Controlling cholesterol intake Animal products are the source of cholesterol. Food products that contain this substance can be conditionally divided into two groups. The first includes those, the rejection of which can harm the body. This includes meat, fish, eggs, dairy products. So, a lack of dairy products can provoke a calcium deficiency, limited meat consumption can lead to a lack of iron and B vitamins. Eggs contain vitamin D necessary for the body, and fish contain a large amount of useful fatty acids. Therefore, in order to prevent atherosclerosis, the consumption of such products must be limited, but not completely excluded. The second group includes those foods with cholesterol that have minimal benefit to the body. This includes products that have undergone aggressive heat treatment, as a result of which the amount of useful substances in it is significantly reduced. Foods that need to be limited in atherosclerosis are: hot dogs, hamburgers, shawarma; canned fish in oil; dairy products with a long shelf life; frozen meat and fish products in breading. Restriction of foods that promote the production of cholesterol Synthesis of cholesterol occurs in organs such as the liver and small intestine. Enhance the process of producing this substance foods high in carbohydrates and calories. An example of a food that boosts cholesterol production is sugar. Therefore, in order to combat atherosclerosis, it is necessary to limit the consumption of confectionery and other foods high in sugar. Another category of foods that contribute to the formation of excess cholesterol are trans fats (overheated natural oils). In addition to increased synthesis, trans fats increase the property of cholesterol to be deposited on the walls of blood vessels. An example of a product whose consumption should be significantly limited in atherosclerosis is margarine. The firmer the consistency of margarine, the more trans fats it contains. It is also recommended to reduce the consumption of mayonnaise, purchased sauces, dry crumbly biscuits, since a large amount of trans fats are used in the production of these products. Eating foods that help neutralize excess cholesterol There are a number of foods that help the body break down and get rid of "bad" cholesterol on its own. The inclusion of such products in the diet will help maintain the balance of cholesterol and prevent the progression of atherosclerosis. Elements that help neutralize cholesterol are: tartronic acid; fatty acid; alimentary fiber; vitamins and minerals. Tartronic acid This type of acid is organic acids found in fruits and vegetables. Tartronic acid improves the metabolism of carbohydrates in the body and inhibits the production of cholesterol. A lot of this substance is present in white cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, radishes. Fatty acid Fatty unsaturated acids, in particular Omega-3, contribute to the destruction of cholesterol plaques. Also, these substances make the walls of blood vessels stronger and more elastic. Therefore, the diet of a person with atherosclerosis should include a sufficient amount of unsaturated fatty acids. A large number of them are found in such varieties of fish as salmon, salmon, mackerel, herring. Another source of fatty acids is unrefined vegetable oil (olive, sunflower, peanut). Oils provide the body with a substance such as lecithin, which breaks down cholesterol. Therefore, with atherosclerosis, it is recommended to use 2 tablespoons of any vegetable oil, replacing trans fats with it. Alimentary fiber Fiber plays an important role in the treatment of atherosclerosis. By combining with cholesterol, dietary fiber removes it from the body, which prevents the formation of sclerotic deposits. The systematic consumption of foods rich in fiber normalizes metabolism, which has a positive effect on the state of the vascular system. A sufficient amount of fiber is found in oat and wheat bran, starchy vegetables (potatoes, corn), and whole grains. A necessary type of fiber in atherosclerosis is pectin. This substance lowers cholesterol levels and increases the body's barrier functions. According to studies, to ensure the balance of cholesterol in the blood, a person needs to consume about 15 grams of pectin daily. Such an amount of this element can be provided if you eat crops such as apples, bananas, grapefruits, peas, potatoes every day. Vitamins and minerals Cholesterol is exported from the body along with bile, which is produced by the liver. Therefore, for the timely and high-quality removal of excess cholesterol, it is necessary to ensure the normal functionality of the liver. Vitamins such as C, B2, B6, PP have a positive effect on the work of this organ. Of the minerals, iodine and manganese are of the greatest importance for the liver. Elements necessary for atherosclerosis and products that contain them Choline occupies a separate place among the elements necessary for the body in atherosclerosis. Choline lowers blood cholesterol levels and ensures the normal functioning of the liver. A sufficient amount of this substance is found in the egg yolk, beef liver, peas. Also, with this metabolic disorder, it is recommended to consume foods rich in methionine, since the body synthesizes choline from it on its own. A lot of methionine contains cottage cheese and egg white. Operations for atherosclerosis In some cases, patients with atherosclerosis are prescribed surgery. Operations are indicated in cases where the symptoms of the disease significantly impair the patient's quality of life. Surgical correction does not eliminate the cause of the disease, but only reduces its consequences. There are the following types of operations for atherosclerosis: shunting; angioplasty; endarterectomy. Shunting With the progression of atherosclerosis, the patency of blood vessels decreases, which leads to impaired blood circulation. Shunting involves creating an additional path for the movement of blood around the affected area of ​​the vessel. The principle of the operation is the introduction of a shunt (graft), which is attached to healthy areas of the vessels. By connecting the unaffected areas of the vessels, the shunt forms a new trajectory for the movement of blood. The graft can be an artificial material or a portion of a patient's vein removed from the thigh, arm, or other part of the body. Angioplasty Angioplasty is an operation during which an expanding catheter is inserted into the affected vessel. In most cases, a catheter is used, which is equipped with a balloon on one side. When inflated, the balloon deforms atherosclerotic deposits, as a result of which the throughput of the vessel increases. There are several methods for performing angioplasty. Types of angioplasty are: angioplasty with stenting; transluminal angioplasty; laser angioplasty. Angioplasty with stenting is performed in order to prevent the possibility of re-occlusion of the operated vessel. The stent is a mesh metal tube that is inserted into the vessel. The design supports the vascular walls expanded by the catheter and prevents narrowing of the vessel. A distinctive characteristic of transluminal angioplasty is the absence of large incisions, as the catheter is inserted through two-millimeter punctures. This type of surgery is performed under local anesthesia and does not require a long recovery period. In most cases, the patient is discharged from the hospital 2 to 3 days after the operation. Laser angioplasty is the destruction of atherosclerotic deposits using a laser beam. During the procedure, a quartz thread is brought to the plaque, through which a thermal effect is applied and it evaporates. Endarterectomy Endarterectomy is a surgical correction of the arteries. Depending on the nature of atherosclerotic deposits, the operation can be performed by several methods. The most common method is an open endarterectomy, in which the doctor makes a longitudinal incision in the vessel and removes the plaque. Then, at the site of damage, a connecting “patch” is fixed, which is most often made of artificial materials. Eversion endarterectomy involves the removal of atherosclerotic deposits together with the endothelial lining of the artery. In some cases, the plaque is removed along with the deformed fragment of the vessel. Features of operations for atherosclerosis The vast majority of surgical interventions for atherosclerosis are performed under general anesthesia. Before the operation, the patient is assigned an examination, which includes computed tomography, ultrasound scanning, blood test. Angiography (X-ray examination) may also be prescribed, during which the nature of the vascular lesion is more accurately determined. The recovery period depends on the nature of the intervention and, as a rule, varies from 3 to 14 days. Possible Complications As with any surgical intervention, after surgical correction Atherosclerotic vessels damaged by atherosclerosis can develop complications. The most common negative consequences of such operations are swelling and inflammation in the wound area. Bleeding may also develop. When carrying out manipulations on the vessels of the brain, there is a possibility of a stroke. Such a complication can occur due to blockage of the brain artery by a fragment of an atherosclerotic plaque that has come off during the operation. After surgery, there is a risk of restenosis (re-occlusion of blood vessels). Most often, this complication occurs in patients who do not comply with preventive measures, especially those related to smoking cessation. Treatment of atherosclerosis with folk remedies Folk remedies for the treatment of atherosclerosis are made from medicinal herbs and other natural products. The systematic use of such drugs helps to restore the elasticity of blood vessels and strengthen the protective function of the body. There are also folk medicines that help remove cholesterol and other toxic compounds. Any drug prepared according to a traditional medicine prescription has a mild and temporary effect. Therefore, to achieve results, such funds must be taken for a long time (within the time specified in the recipe). Also, to increase the effectiveness of drugs and prevent side effects in the preparation and use of folk remedies, you need to follow some rules. Rules for the preparation of raw materials for folk remedies For the preparation of traditional medicine, plant raw materials are recommended to be purchased at a pharmacy. In the case of self-collection of medicinal components, certain rules must be observed. Collect herbs, roots and berries should be in dry sunny weather, choosing only mature and unspoiled specimens. Do not use raw materials that have been collected near highways or landfills. It is necessary to dry the plants in such a way as to prevent their decay. To do this, they are scattered in a thin layer on a metal baking sheet or a sheet of paper and placed in the shade. The place where the raw materials are dried must be dry and well ventilated. Dried plants are stored in gauze or canvas bags. Glass or ceramic containers with tight-fitting lids can also be used for storage. When preparing folk remedies, certain principles should be followed. This will preserve the useful substances of the product and prevent spoilage of the drug. The rules for the preparation of folk remedies are as follows: Grinding. In order to maximize the extraction of all useful substances from vegetable raw materials, it must be crushed with a coffee grinder. You can also use a metal or ceramic mortar. Flowers and leaves need to be crushed up to 5 millimeters, stems and bark - up to 3 millimeters. The particle size of the fruit should be much smaller - about 0.5 mm. Tableware. For the preparation of traditional medicine preparations, it is recommended to use containers made of clay, stainless steel or enameled dishes. Items made of ceramics, porcelain, glass or faience can also be used. Do not use aluminum or plastic utensils for such purposes. Water. For the preparation of decoctions or infusions, it is necessary to use clean water no smell of chlorine or other substances. The best option would be melted water or water purified by a special filter. Alcohol. For tinctures, you need to use medical 96 percent alcohol, which, depending on the recipe, is diluted with water to the desired strength. For this, the formula X * Y / C is used, where X is the required degree, Y is the required volume, C is the available degree. So, in order to get 500 milliliters of 70 percent alcohol from 96 percent alcohol, you need to multiply 500 by 70 and divide by 96. It turns out 365. Exactly this volume of the original product must be combined with water (135 milliliters). The result is 500 milliliters of alcohol with a concentration of 70 degrees. Folk recipes against atherosclerosis Traditional medicine offers infusions, decoctions and powders for the treatment of this disease. The duration of the course of treatment and dosage are individual for each drug. It is impossible to combine the reception of several folk remedies. The standard dose of a folk remedy (powder, infusion, decoction) is equal to a teaspoon. For preparations made on alcohol (tinctures), the standard dose is 1 drop. Products for the preparation of folk remedies against atherosclerosis are: dandelion (roots); garlic; dry wine. Dandelion (roots) For the treatment of atherosclerosis, dry dandelion roots are used, which must be crushed into powder. The remedy is taken once a day, before a meal, one standard dose. Dandelion roots help to remove excess cholesterol and toxins from the body. Garlic Garlic preparations cleanse the vascular system of deposits, strengthen and increase the lumen of blood vessels. For treatment, alcohol tincture on garlic is used. To do this, 250 grams of garlic crushed into gruel is poured with a liter of 40 percent alcohol or pure vodka. You need to insist for 3 weeks, then strain the mixture and start a course of treatment. You need to take garlic tincture according to a certain scheme. When used, the drug is mixed with water or milk. The scheme for taking garlic tincture is as follows: on the first day, 1 dose of tincture is taken; over the next 24 days, the daily dose should be increased by 1 dose; then 5 days in a row the agent is taken in 25 doses; then for 24 days the volume of the drug should be reduced daily by 1 dose. Thyme (thyme) This plant relieves spasms of blood vessels, normalizes blood pressure and has a general calming effect. For atherosclerosis, a decoction is used, which is prepared from a glass of water and a teaspoon of thyme flowers. Raw materials must be kept on low heat for 5 to 10 minutes, after which they must be kept for an hour in a sealed container. A single portion of the decoction is 4 doses. You need to take the remedy twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. Hawthorn The active substances that make up the hawthorn contribute to the expansion coronary vessels. Therefore, drugs from this component are recommended for atherosclerosis of the heart vessels. Alcohol tincture of hawthorn is used for treatment. To prepare this remedy, you need to pour a glass of crushed berries with 200 milliliters of alcohol (70 percent). After 3 weeks of infusion, the remedy is taken every day before dinner. A single serving of tincture is 30 doses, which must be mixed with water. Also, with atherosclerosis, a concentrated decoction of hawthorn can be used. To do this, 500 grams of berries are ground with a pestle or blender into gruel, 100 milliliters of water are added and put in a steam bath. After 5 - 10 minutes, the mixture is removed, squeezed. The resulting juice is taken 2 doses three times a day. The course of treatment should be continued for a month. Wine dry The expediency of using dry red wine in atherosclerosis in folk medicine is confirmed by scientific studies conducted in France. During the experiments, it was proved that the substances contained in red wine contribute to the breakdown and removal of harmful cholesterol from the body. Wine also stimulates blood circulation and improves blood rheology. For the treatment of atherosclerosis, dry white wine can also be used, on the basis of which honey-onion tincture is made. To do this, 600 milliliters of wine are combined with 100 grams of honey and 300 grams of onion, crushed into gruel. The mixture is insisted for 2 days, after which it is filtered. Take for 40 - 50 days, 5 - 6 standard doses. Prevention of atherosclerosis Prevention of atherosclerosis can be primary and secondary. Primary prevention measures are recommended for those individuals who do not have clinical manifestations disease, but are at high risk. This includes men (mostly) and women over 50 years of age. Be sure to follow the rules that prevent the development of atherosclerosis for people with a hereditary predisposition. Secondary prevention should be observed in patients who have already been diagnosed with atherosclerosis. In most cases, the development of this disease is due to the presence of not one, but several factors. According to medical statistics, the presence of one trigger factor (a trigger for the disease) increases the likelihood of atherosclerosis by 2 times. The presence of two factors increases the chances of getting sick by 3-4 times. The combination of 3 factors increases the risk of atherosclerosis by 10 times. Therefore, the prevention of this pathology should be comprehensive and involve the correction of all circumstances that increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis. Measures of primary prevention of atherosclerosis are: fight against excess weight; organization of a balanced diet; diagnosis and treatment of a number of diseases; refusal to use tobacco products. The fight against excess weight Being overweight is a significant risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis. To prevent this disease, it is necessary to maintain an optimal weight. This indicator is calculated in accordance with height, gender and other characteristics of a person. If the actual weight does not match the results of the calculations, it is necessary to start the fight against extra pounds. When losing weight, you need to know that sudden weight loss is stress for the body. Proper disposal of extra pounds involves maintaining the optimal calorie intake and increasing physical activity. Calculation of the optimal weight There are a large number of systems that allow you to determine the optimal weight. The simplest and most accurate is Brock's formula. In order to find out ideal weight, you need to subtract a special coefficient from a person’s height in centimeters. The coefficient for growth up to 165 centimeters is 100, from 165 to 175 centimeters - 105, above 175 centimeters - 110. At the age of up to 30 years, the weight rate must be reduced by 11 percent. For those over 50 years old, 6 percent is added to the norm. For greater accuracy, when calculating the optimal weight according to Brock, the body type of a person is taken into account. With an asthenic type (wrist circumference for women - up to 16 centimeters, for men - up to 17 centimeters), the rate should be reduced by 10 percent. With a hypersthenic body type (wrist circumference for women - more than 18 centimeters, for men - more than 20 centimeters), the norm should be increased by 10 percent. For example, for a forty-five-year-old hypersthenic type man with a height of 181 centimeters, the ideal weight would be 78 kilograms. Compliance with the norm of caloric intake The optimal number of calories is selected individually depending on the age, gender and type of activity of a person. The daily calorie intake is as follows: Age from 18 to 40 years. A man at this age needs to consume 2800 to 3000 calories daily. For the female of this age group, the norm varies from 2400 to 2600 calories per day. These indicators are relevant for average physical activity. Persons who lead a sedentary lifestyle and are at home most of the time should be reduced by 400 to 600 calories. People whose activities involve active physical activity should increase the standard rate by 800 - 1000 calories. Age from 40 to 60 years. After 40 years, a person's activity decreases, which should be reflected in the amount of calories consumed with food. At this age, the recommended norm for men is 2600 - 2800 calories, for women - from 2200 to 2400 calories. With a home lifestyle, the daily number of calories should be reduced, with increased loads - increased. Age from 60 years. After the age of sixty, the number of calories consumed for men should not exceed 2500, for women - 2200. Some people in order to quickly lose weight significantly reduce the daily calorie intake. It should be noted that such actions can lead to depletion of the body. If, when calculating the optimal weight, there are large discrepancies with reality (more than 20 percent), the daily calorie intake can be reduced by 10-15 percent. Increased physical activity The most effective type of physical activity for weight loss is aerobic exercise. Such classes are characterized by light or medium intensity, which makes them accessible to different age categories. In addition to reducing body fat, aerobic exercise helps to normalize blood pressure, strengthen the heart muscle and enrich the blood with oxygen. Rules for performing aerobic exercises In order for sports to be effective, it is recommended to follow some rules: exercise should be at least 3 times a week; you need to increase the load gradually; the optimal time for classes is morning; the pause between sports and eating should be at least one and a half hours; the minimum duration of training is half an hour; the maximum duration of training is an hour; breathing should be even; for some sports (running, walking) you need to purchase special shoes; Before starting a workout, you need to do a five-minute warm-up. Types of aerobic exercise The best and most effective aerobic exercise for weight loss is brisk walking. This type of exercise improves metabolism and is suitable even for those people who have never played sports. Fast walking can be done by those who suffer from diseases of the legs, spine, heart. To achieve results, walking should be practiced daily, making at least 10,000 steps at a fast pace. Other types of aerobic exercise for weight loss are: swimming; aerobics or water aerobics; jogging; a ride on the bicycle; sport games; dance Sport; rollerblading, skiing. Organization of a balanced diet Numerous studies in the field of atherosclerosis confirm the fact that the quality and quantity of food consumed has a direct impact on the development of this disease. Overeating, the monotony of the diet, lack of regimen - all this leads to a violation of lipid metabolism. Prevention of atherosclerosis involves the organization of a healthy nutrition system, in accordance with age, gender and human activity. The rules of nutrition for the prevention of atherosclerosis are: balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates; control of consumed cholesterol; fiber intake. Balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates The basis of a balanced diet is the observance of the proportions between consumed proteins, fats and carbohydrates. An excess or deficiency of any of these elements leads to negative consequences for the body. So, a lack of protein provokes a decrease in immunity, and an excessive amount - a metabolic disorder. Excessive consumption of fats leads to obesity, and their deficiency leads to a deterioration in cholesterol metabolism. With an insufficient amount of carbohydrates, first of all, the metabolism of the body is disturbed, with an overabundance, the process of formation of body fat is accelerated. The optimal norm of one or another element depends on the lifestyle and weight of the person. Norms of fats, proteins and carbohydrates (per 1 kilogram of weight) A balanced diet also requires compliance with the proportions of the type of proteins, fats and carbohydrates consumed. Of the total amount of protein consumed, 30 percent should be animal (meat, fish) and 70 percent plant origin(nuts, legumes). The share of animal fats (cheese, butter, egg yolks) in the diet should not exceed 35 - 40 percent. The rest of the fat should be represented by products of plant origin (vegetable oils, avocados, nuts). One third of carbohydrate-containing products should contain simple carbohydrates (fructose, sucrose), the remaining two thirds - complex carbohydrates(cereals, vegetables, whole grains).	Squirrels ( gram)	Fats ( gram)	Carbohydrates ( gram)
Legumes
White cabbage
Potato
Carrot
Beet
Grape
Apples
Prunes
Almond
Walnut
Buckwheat
Oatmeal
Rice
wheat bread
bran bread
Sugar
Honey
Milk (2.5 percent fat)
Butter
Chicken egg
Cheese (Dutch)
Mayonnaise (Provence)
Pork fat
Sunflower vegetable oil
Salmon
Salmon (salty)
Pollock
Cod liver
Beef
Pork
Chicken
Goose
beef liver

Controlling your cholesterol intake
Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that, when overabundant, is deposited on the walls of blood vessels. At the same time, cholesterol plays a significant role in ensuring the normal functionality of the body, and its deficiency can adversely affect human health. Therefore, in order to prevent atherosclerosis, it is necessary not to completely refuse, but to limit the consumption of foods with cholesterol in reasonable doses.

A large amount of cholesterol is found in high-fat products of animal origin (animal fat, lard, butter). There is a lot of cholesterol in egg yolks. For the prevention of atherosclerosis, the optimal daily cholesterol intake is 300-400 milligrams.

fiber intake
Dietary fiber (fiber) is a ballast substance that improves intestinal motility (contraction) and absorbs harmful substances (carcinogens, toxins). With the systematic use of fiber, cholesterol in the blood decreases, which prevents atherosclerosis. A large number of dietary fiber found in bran, whole grains, vegetables and fruits.

Diagnosis and treatment of a number of diseases

In the 70s of the last century, studies in the field of atherosclerosis showed that acute viral infections play an important role in the development of this disease. Therefore, in order to prevent this disease, it is necessary to observe measures aimed at protecting against influenza and respiratory infections (ARVI). You should also carry out timely vaccination against various viruses and strengthen immunity. In case of infection, it is necessary to carry out adequate treatment with antiviral drugs.

The trigger for the development of atherosclerosis is hypertension (periodic or constant increase in blood pressure). Prevention of atherosclerosis involves systematic monitoring of blood pressure and taking measures to normalize indicators. There are other pathologies that can act as a trigger factor for atherosclerosis. All these diseases require timely diagnosis and adequate treatment.

Diseases that increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis are:

• diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2 of the second type (increased blood sugar due to lack of insulin);
• hypothyroidism (deficiency of thyroid hormones);
• gout (deposition of uric acid salts in the joints).

Refusal to use tobacco products

Smoking is a common factor that contributes to the development of atherosclerosis. Inhalation of tobacco smoke leads to the formation of cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels. Also contained in tobacco products substances provoke thinning of blood vessels. Tobacco use leads to an increase in blood pressure, which is also a trigger for atherosclerosis. Therefore, the prevention of this disease involves quitting smoking. It has been proven that a person who quit smoking during the first 5 years reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis by 20 to 50 percent.

Secondary prevention of atherosclerosis

The purpose of preventive measures is to inhibit the processes of plaque deposition in the vessels and reduce the symptoms of the disease. Secondary prevention includes the full range of measures from primary prevention and a few additional recommendations.

Measures of secondary prevention of atherosclerosis are:

• balanced diet;
• normal weight support;
• quitting tobacco use;
• support for normal blood pressure;
• taking drugs that reduce the likelihood of blood clots;
• the use of drugs that maintain cholesterol levels.

Before use, you should consult with a specialist.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic progressive disease of the arteries in which inner walls cholesterol is deposited in blood vessels. A very common pathology, leading in terms of morbidity and mortality in the world. Vascular atherosclerosis, according to statistics, affects 100% of the population. Mortality in adults from its complications in developed countries is 50%, in the structure of the pathology of the heart and blood vessels - 75%. Of all patients, 25% die suddenly and unexpectedly from sudden death of arrhythmogenic origin, the cause is ventricular fibrillation.

Risk factors

Atherosclerosis affects vessels of different calibers. Given the localization of the process, clinical manifestations may differ. Therefore, drugs aimed at the etiological factor and all links of pathogenesis are used to treat atherosclerosis. Symptoms of the disease are sometimes absent for a long time. Its first manifestations may be acute disorder blood supply (ACS or acute stroke). Then the treatment of vascular atherosclerosis will be directed to urgent action. Planned therapy of the disease will continue only after stabilization of the condition.

The mechanism of atherosclerosis formation depends on several risk factors that play a primary role:

• disruption of processes fat metabolism;
• physiological or pathological condition of the vessel wall;
• heredity.

Numerous studies have shown that arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, nicotine increase the possibility of a heart attack up to 8 times compared to their absence.

Cholesterol as a risk factor

Cholesterol is a lipid in its chemical structure. Its functions are diverse: it is part of some vitamins (D 3 - cholecalciferol), hormones (androgens, estrogens, corticoids), one of the constituent cell membranes.

Cholesterol is synthesized by liver cells (85%), thin section intestines (10%), skin (5%): the body forms approximately 3.5 g of cholesterol per day, 0.3 g comes with food.

The liver is the organ where the process of cholesterol oxidation occurs, which leads to the formation of free bile acids. Low and high density lipoproteins (LDL - beta - lipoproteins, HDL - alpha - lipoproteins) transport it throughout the body. Cholesterol, released after the destruction of cell membranes, is delivered from the arteries to the liver cells with the participation of HDL. There it is oxidized to bile acids, after which it is removed with feces. If the process of formation and excretion of bile acids is impaired due to various diseases bile is saturated with cholesterol. Gallstones form, gallstone disease develops. Cholesterol levels rise sharply (hypercholesterolemia), which in turn leads to the development of atherosclerosis.

HDL can not cope with the load, the walls of blood vessels accumulate lipids. Atherosclerotic changes depend on the amount of LDL: they are atherogenic, their increase (respectively, a decrease in HDL) leads to the formation of a plaque under the endothelial layer of cells, which contains 70% of the total cholesterol in blood plasma.

It is important to take into account the atherogenic index (the so-called factor in the development of cardiovascular relations, or risk factor). It is calculated as the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol:

• low risk - 2, - 2.9;
• medium - 3.0 - 4.9;
• high - above 5.0.

Cholesterol plaques are the leading factor in vascular pathology

With atherosclerosis, there is a narrowing of the lumen of the vessels, slowing down blood flow. The composition of an atherosclerotic plaque: low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-CL), some fats (triglycerides, phospholipids), calcium. These layers are formed under the endothelium at the site of damage to its cells. If the content of blood cholesterol is low, accordingly, the plaque also contains little of it, so it is stable for a long time. This applies to age-related changes in blood vessels, improves the prognosis for all types of coronary artery disease. With hypercholesterolemia, the plaque becomes loose, its wall is thin, ulcerated. Over time, its separation is possible - a blood clot forms. Atherothrombosis is the main factor in the development of ACS and progression.

Any vessels are susceptible to the development of atherosclerosis, but medium and large-caliber arteries account for 90-95% of the lesion. Its development occurs in all organs of any part of the body (brain, lower extremities, intestines, kidneys, and others). These changes disrupt the functions of the organ. With multifocal atherosclerosis, the vessels of many areas (basins) are affected simultaneously. The clinical picture becomes so diverse that it is difficult to make a diagnosis without special examination methods.

Given the localization of the lesion, atherosclerosis can develop:

• heart disease (acute and chronic form IHD complicated by rhythm disturbances, heart failure);
• acute cerebrovascular disorders (ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack);
• damage to the lower extremities up to gangrene;
• changes in the aorta, vessels of the kidneys, intestines (infarction of the mesenteric vessels).

Treatment methods for the disease

With atherosclerosis of the vessels, treatment is always complex, long-term. Its purpose is to reduce manifestations, inhibition of the further development of pathology. It is possible to stop the progression of the disease before plaque appears. The process of its development refers rather to a way of life, and not to a disease. Therefore, the rejection of harmful addictions, a change in taste habits, physical activity, adherence to a certain diet is already half the success in treatment.

In patients with atherosclerosis, treatment is carried out in several directions:

• lifestyle change;
• diet therapy;
• medical methods;
• surgical interventions.

How to treat vascular atherosclerosis is decided, taking into account the number and location of lesions. The most common causes on which the clinic and treatment of the disease directly depend are:

• hypertension;
• smoking;
• diabetes;
• hypercholesterolemia.

Anti-cholesterol diet

The diet is aimed at strengthening the vascular wall, improving fat metabolism.

To achieve these goals, several principles must be followed:

• reducing the calorie content of food eaten by 15% due to the reduction of fats and carbohydrates;
• frequent fractional meals in small portions;
• weekly fasting days (fruit or cottage cheese).

The diet for the most part should be vegetable and fruit, with a high content of pectin. It prevents the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Dietary rules for atherosclerosis:

1. The diet should contain legumes: they consist of fiber that enhances intestinal motility (cholesterol is excreted with feces).
2. Poultry and rabbit meat is recommended, which is easily digestible.
3. Eating foods containing lecithin (liver, nuts, wheat bran). It improves the absorption of fats, prevents them from settling under the vascular epithelium.
4. Citrus fruits, greens, black currants are also needed, which strengthen the vascular walls thanks to vitamins A, E, C.
5. Exclude fatty meat, canned food, sausages from consumption, since cholesterol is formed from animal fats. Only boil food, but do not fry or stew.

The application of these rules will help to significantly reduce the doses of drugs used, and ensure the successful treatment of atherosclerosis.

• Therapy with moderate cardiovascular risk. Treatment of moderate-risk atherosclerosis (CHR)< 5), уровнем общего холестерина более 5 ммоль/л без клинических проявлений заключается в модификации привычного образа жизни. После достижения normal indicators(total cholesterol - less than 5.0 mmol / l, LDL cholesterol less than 3 mmol / l) examination by the attending physician should be 1 time for 5 years. If the level exceeds 3 mmol / l, there is an accumulation of cholesterol by the endothelium. With LDL blood< 3 ммоль/л, клеточное содержание его близко к нулю.
• Treatment of atherosclerosis with high CVR. In atherosclerosis with high cardiovascular risk (CVR > 5), total cholesterol > 5 mmol/l, the first stage of treatment is a qualitative change in lifestyle for a period of 3 months. After a specified period of time, laboratory examination. If target levels are reached, annual monitoring of lipid profile indicators is necessary. If the high risk persists, you need to switch to drug therapy. When atherosclerosis is accompanied by clinical manifestations, it is recommended in all cases to modify lifestyle with drug therapy. Drug treatment is started after the use of an anti-cholesterol diet has been ineffective for 6 months.

Smoking cessation is part of the treatment

Smoking is one of the officially recognized high-risk factors that accelerate the development of atherosclerosis, and, therefore, coronary artery disease. Nicotine is a poison for blood vessels. It acts on the vascular center medulla oblongata causing the adrenal glands to release adrenaline. This leads to vasoconstriction, the occurrence of angina attacks, pressure surges. The elasticity of the walls decreases, they become lethargic, and nicotine hypertension develops. The viscosity of the blood increases, the ratio of triglycerides to cholesterol is disturbed. Poisonous substances contained in the smoke damage the epithelium. It becomes thinner, the deposition of LDL CL, the occurrence of plaques is accelerated. Constant spasm of small vessels of the legs causes obliterating endarteritis with convulsions, pain syndrome. It occurs in every 7 smokers, with severe course leads to gangrene and amputation. After using one cigarette for several tens of minutes, all vessels are in a spasmodic state. The toxic substances contained in the smoke are carried throughout the body in 20 to 30 seconds - in one blood cycle. The blood supply to all organs and tissues decreases, since each puff reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood.

Conservative therapy

How to cure atherosclerosis can only be explained and helped by a doctor after examining and studying the results of the study.

Lipid-lowering drugs (HLP) of several groups are prescribed:

• statins (lova -, simva -, rights -, fluva -, atorva -, rozuva -, pitustatins);
• fibrates (pheno-, hemo-, bezafibrates);
• lipid-lowering drugs from natural sources: estrogens, omega - 3 - polyunsaturated fatty acids (Omacor), folic acid, flavonoid-containing (wine, juice, tomatoes, nuts)

There are three more groups of drugs:

• nicotinic acid (Niocin);
• cholesterol absorption inhibitors (Ezitamb);
• fatty acid sequestrants (Colestyramine, Kolestilol).

To improve the prognosis, in addition to HLP, antithrombotic drugs of various groups are prescribed (Aspirin, Plavix, Clexane), according to indications - antihypertensive therapy (drugs from the ACE inhibitors or sartans, beta-blockers).

Statins - the basis of the treatment of atherosclerosis

In recent years, statins have played a major role in treatment, early administration of which leads to good results. Statins are the leading class of lipid-lowering drugs. They are comparable in importance to the discovery of penicillin by Fleming.

Assigned to all patients without exception:

• with arterial hypertension;
• with high and very high CVR even with normal cholesterol (example: a middle-aged man who smokes - 3 risk factors).

Statins block an enzyme in the cholesterol chain, resulting in:

• decrease in its synthesis by the liver;
• increased reuptake of LDL-CL by hepatocytes.

The most studied and effective atorvastatin is Liprimar (Atoris, Atorvastatin, Torvacard and others). So far, only Liprimar has demonstrated high safety in reducing LDL-C to levels lower than the currently recommended target values. It significantly improves the prognosis at . Thousands of studies, authoritative meta - analyzes have shown the safety of its maximum permitted dose among people not only of the elderly, but also of senile age. It is desirable to drink it, at least for several days, starting immediately with a maximum dosage of 80 mg / day. Take once for a long time, limit or stop drinking alcohol. Then you can go to a dose of 40 mg / day. Forms for parenteral administration are not available, but research is ongoing. The drug is necessary in ACS for everyone after an ischemic stroke, regardless of the level of LDL-C. After a hemorrhagic stroke is not prescribed.

If a statin of another group is prescribed during treatment, the dosage depends on the initial data and the patient's condition: the higher the risk vascular complications the higher the starting dose. Statins significantly reduce the development of complications after atherosclerosis:

• reduce the risk of arrhythmias after CABG;
• significantly reduce the rate of progression of atherosclerotic lesions of the renal arteries, increase the cardiovascular prognosis in CKD (improves glomerular filtration rate);
• improves the prognosis with already developed CHF (with systolic insufficiency of ischemic etiology).

In addition to therapeutic effects in atherosclerosis, statins have a number of positive effects on the body as a whole - pleiotropic effects:

• have anti-inflammatory properties;
• reduce the risk of cancer: with statins, the incidence of cancer is 9.4%, if they are not used - 13.2%.

Since you have to take drugs for a long time, almost for life, you need to know that statins are hepatotoxic, cause muscle pain during the development of rhabdomyolysis. About them toxic effect on the liver, the discussion continues and research is underway due to the fact that the increase in the level of transaminases (ALT, AST) is not always directly dependent on statin intake. However, if you have to take drugs of this group, it is necessary to control aminotransferases before prescribing statins, and then after 2 weeks, 3 months, and then once every 6 months throughout the treatment. If the transaminase levels are normal, you can continue taking the statin, and if necessary, increase the dose. When the indicators increased by 1.5 times, you can continue taking it at the same dosage, but control ALT, AST after 4 weeks. Exceeding the norm by 1.5 - 3 times - the dosage remains the same, but control is necessary after 2 weeks. In the case of an increase in transaminases by more than 3 times, and maintaining indicators at these levels for 2 weeks, it is necessary to reduce the dose or stop the drug. With muscular side effects, due to the great importance of statins for further prognosis, it is recommended to continue taking atorvastin: 5 mg once every 2-3 days.

Fibrates in the complex treatment of atherosclerosis

Fibrates (Trycor) activate special receptors, stimulating the synthesis of free fatty acids (FFA) oxidation, as a result, they powerfully reduce the concentration of fatty acids.

5 components of the non-lipid and lipid action of fibrates have been identified and studied.

Lipid:

• increase in TG decay;
• decrease and formation of TG;
• an increase in their transport;
• increasing the education of "useful" HDL cholesterol;
• lowering LDL cholesterol (enlargement of their particles).

Non-lipid:

• reduction in the size of atherosclerotic plaque;
• local anti-inflammatory action;
• reduction of ACS (acute coronary syndrome) stress;
• a decrease in the activity of the RAAS (renin - angiotensin - aldosterone system, which regulates blood pressure and blood volume in the body);
• reduction of glycosylation end products.

Fibrates in the complex treatment of atherosclerosis:

• safely combined with statins,
• reduce total cholesterol by 20-25%;
• reduce the content of triglycerides by 40 - 45%, this is especially important for smokers, patients with diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension;
• reduce the number of small particles of LDL cholesterol by 50%;
• increase "useful" HDL cholesterol by 10 - 30%;
• increase the particle size of LDL cholesterol;
• reduce uric acid by 25% - uricosuric effect.

The use of fibrates is especially effective and important when there is diabetes mellitus. Due to the long half-life, they drink it 1 time during the day. Tablets must be swallowed whole - it is undesirable to break. If statin and fibrate are taken in combination, drink fibrate in the morning, statin in the evening: this way you can avoid peak concentration crossover.

It should be noted that vitamin E does not play any role in the prevention of atherosclerosis.

A nicotinic acid

Nicotinic acid (Niacin, Niashpan) has nothing to do with nicotinamide - it's a different drug. It is the first of the GLP (lipid-lowering drugs), which showed a decrease in mortality from vascular pathology associated with atherosclerosis.

The main effect of its use is an increase in HDL cholesterol. Nicotinic acid significantly increases the mobilization of FFA from adipose tissue, thus reducing the substrate for cholesterol synthesis. Increases the content of "useful" HDL cholesterol in the blood.

The daily dose for influencing HDL is from 1.5 - 2.0 to 4.0 g. The dosage should be increased gradually, starting from 0.1 x 2 r / d during meals. Niashpan can be used once in the evening.

Cholesterol adsorption inhibitors lead to the fact that the small intestine receives less of it: it is blocked by taking Esentib. Thus, the concentration is significantly reduced, and the flow of cholesterol to the liver is reduced. Combined with statins, used to control dyslipidemia. It is taken once, the daily dose is 10 mg.

Omega - 3 - polyunsaturated fatty acids

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are not synthesized by the body. The original drug is Omacor. PUFAs also contain fish oil, Vitrum-cardio, Epadol-Neo. With atherosclerosis, they have the following effect:

• vasodilating;
• antiarrhythmic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• antiplatelet.

Taking these drugs for 3 months after an acute myocardial infarction leads to:

• reduce the risk of sudden death by 50%,
• reduction in overall mortality;
• stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque;
• decrease in the number of reocclusions after CABG;
• to reduce the rate of progression of glomerulosclerosis and chronic renal failure in glomerulonephritis.

Daily dose - 2 capsules.

Fatty acid sequestrants

Fatty acid sequestrants (Cholestyramine Regular, Cholestylol).

Contribute:

• acceleration of the excretion of cholesterol from the liver with bile;
• an increase in the number of new active liver receptors for LDL-CL.

This leads to a decrease in the concentration of LDL in the blood. The drug is bound by bile acids due to intestinal cells, the result of these reactions is the formation of insoluble compounds that are excreted from the body with feces.

The appointment of cholestyramine is shown:

• for the prevention of atherosclerosis;
• with newly diagnosed hypercholesterolemia, as well as with its asymptomatic course;
• in the treatment of pathology of the digestive system associated with a violation of the excretion of bile acids, their high concentration, accompanied by excruciating itching of the skin.

Contraindications are pregnancy and lactation, complete blockage of the biliary tract, phenylketonuria, drug intolerance.

Release form - powders of 4 grams. Take individually, given the daily dose of 4 - 24 grams. The drug is insoluble in water, when taken orally, it is not absorbed by the mucous membranes. It is unaffected by digestive enzymes. It is used daily for 4 weeks, only after this period does the therapeutic effect begin to develop, positive changes in the lipid profile occur, itching disappears, if it was. Prolonged use of the drug leads to bleeding (blood prothrombin decreases). There are various digestive disorders due to impaired absorption of fats, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, K) and folic acid. During the entire period of taking this group of drugs, you need to drink plenty of water, if there are no contraindications. 80 ml of water is added to the powder, the mixture is thoroughly mixed, left for 10 minutes to form a suspension, and then drunk. Increased caution should be observed when used in patients over 60 years of age.

Herbal preparations

Preparations based on vegetable oils are widely used. Pumpkin seeds are popular, as well as the combined herbal preparation Ravisol. Pumpkin seed oil can be prescribed for atherosclerosis for prevention, for newly diagnosed hyperlipidemia - for treatment. Due to the presence of large amounts of saturated fatty acids, it has a hypolipidemic effect. Despite all the positive properties, for this in recent times rarely used, because it has a different, more effective spectrum applications.

Ravisol is a tincture of 7 herbal ingredients. Consists of periwinkle, hawthorn, Japanese Sophora, horsetail, mistletoe, horse chestnut, clover. It is prescribed in combination with other therapeutic agents. It is necessary to take 1 teaspoon before meals, diluted with water. The treatment course is 10 days. Reduces cholesterol, triglycerides. Correct use improves blood flow of the brain, myocardium, reduces peripheral resistance vessels. The drug has a diuretic, antiplatelet effect.

When taking Ravisol, it is necessary to monitor the pulse, blood pressure: it enhances the effect of antiarrhythmic, antihypertensive, hypnotic, sedatives, cardiac glycosides.

Combined medicines

Often with atherosclerosis, the use of combined drugs is justified. As a rule, these are two-component drugs: an antihypertensive with a lipid-lowering drug or 2 lipid-lowering drugs from different groups with a different mechanism of action.

Inegy is a combination drug consisting of simvastatin and a cholesterol adsorption inhibitor (ezentimibe). Release dosages are different: 10/10, 20/10, 40/10 mg - the dose of the statin changes. The drug acts using the mechanism of both medicinal components of different hyperlipidemic groups:

• simvastatin helps to reduce the concentration of LDL cholesterol with triglycerides, increases HDL (“useful” lipoproteins);
• ezentimibe blocks cholesterol absorption small intestine thus dramatically reducing its transport to the liver.

Inegy is effective in newly diagnosed hypercholesterolemia, for prophylactic purposes, for the treatment of atherosclerosis, if statin monotherapy was insufficient. At the initial stages of treatment, it is prescribed as an additional drug method to the diet, as well as lifestyle modifications.

Dosing of the drug, the mode of its administration is selected individually. It depends on the purpose of treatment, the severity of atherosclerosis. After 4 weeks of use, the main blood parameters are monitored. If there is no effect or it is insignificant, the therapy is reviewed.

Atorvastatin in combination with the cholesterol adsorption inhibitor ezentimibe - Azi-Tor, Statezi. The dosage of drugs is the same: 10/10 mg. Due to the interaction, the level of cholesterol and triglycerides is much more effectively reduced than when using each of them separately. Indications for the appointment are dyslipidemia. It is prescribed for insufficient effectiveness of a statin, as well as non-pharmacological methods of treatment. Taken once. The therapeutic effect occurs after 14 days. For specification of efficiency the lipidogram is estimated.

Surgery

The strategy of therapeutic measures in atherosclerosis depends on a number of factors. Age, "experience", the severity of the disease are taken into account. In the initial stages, conservative treatment and a change in lifestyle have a good effect. When the disease is started, therapeutic methods are no longer effective. With far-reaching changes in the structure of the vessel, surgical treatment is used.

There are many surgical techniques for the correction of affected vessels in atherosclerosis:

1. Balloon angioplasty - a special balloon is used to expand the lumen of a narrow, pathologically altered vessel.
2. Arterial stenting - surgical method treatment aimed at stopping the development of atherosclerosis using a special "spacer" for a narrowed vessel.
3. Shunting - the essence of the operation is to create an additional path around the damaged vessel that provides normal blood flow.
4. Prosthetics - replacement of a damaged vessel.
5. Endarterectomy - removal of a portion of the affected vessel along with an atherosclerotic plaque.
6. With developed gangrene of the lower limb, dead tissue is removed with the installation of a prosthesis.

Balloon angioplasty (percutaneous transluminal balloon angioplasty) is not inherently a purely surgical intervention. This procedure is minimally invasive. Transluminal - means treatment through natural openings (vessels). A miniature balloon restores the normal patency of a narrow vascular lumen. At the same time, stenting is used to fix the operated vessel. A structure made of the thinnest mesh is installed - a stent. This for a long time normalizes blood circulation in the vascular segment affected by the atherosclerotic process. After the treatment, to improve the prognosis, prolong the effect, antithrombotics are prescribed: Aspirin 75-100 mg after meals with Clopidogrel 75 mg continuously under the cover of proton pump inhibitors (Pantaprazole 40 mg before meals) up to 12 months.

When shunted from a patient's vein or from artificial material a bypass is created to promote the flow of blood past the area damaged by atherosclerosis. Taken, as a rule, large saphenous vein, which stretches along the lower limb and reaches the groin. The vein is turned over before suturing so that the existing valves do not interfere with the blood flow. The lower extremities will not be harmed much, since there is an enlarged venous network, which is able to compensate for the lack of a small area. If it is impossible to use this vein, others are found, or grafts (artificial vessels) are used. Usually, the operation is performed on the coronary or peripheral arteries of the lower extremities. In the same way, intervention is performed on the vessels of other localizations.

If the aorta is affected, there is a high risk of developing an aneurysm (protrusion) with a rupture of the wall, the onset of rapid death from massive blood loss. Treatment is only surgical: the enlarged part of the aorta is removed, followed by prosthetics or bypass surgery.

With coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), which is used for, arteries, not veins, are used for the bypass. Preference is given to radiation, internal chest. This method is used when stenting is no longer possible due to the large number of atherosclerotic plaques on the vessel wall.

Before shunting, as before any operation on the vessels, an examination is necessary. To identify the nature, extent pathological process the following diagnostic procedures are carried out:

• duplex ultrasound of the vessels, which determines the violations of the damaged artery and the volume of blood flow in it;
• magnetic resonance angiography is a study using magnetic field and radio waves; the size of atherosclerotic lesions, the degree of reduction in blood circulation are estimated;
• computed tomography: with its help, layered "sections" are made, the severity of atherosclerotic changes is determined. If the presence of an atherosclerotic plaque is detected, as well as a vessel narrowed due to it, the next stage of the examination will be a contrast angiography;
• Angiography makes it possible, after the introduction of a radiopaque substance, to determine the degree of damage to the vessel, to decide on the method of surgical intervention: angioplasty with stenting or bypass method. An incision is made on femoral artery, a catheter is inserted, through it - a special substance. After completion of the study, the catheter is removed, and the contrast is gradually excreted in the urine. The volume of the operation is determined by the degree of vascular damage.

Folk methods of treatment

With the complex treatment of the disease, it is possible to use the methods of traditional medicine. For this, infusions, decoctions and teas are prepared from various plants, their leaves, fruits. The effect of this treatment can be expected on early stages atherosclerosis, when there are no deep vascular changes, and laboratory tests show the norm.

Alternative methods of treatment can only be an addition to the main drug therapy, or used to change lifestyle. It is believed that hawthorn, wild rose, and garlic have a certain effect on vascular atherosclerosis. Of these (separately from each), infusions are prepared: crushed fruits or garlic are poured with alcohol, infused for two days. Then they are used: tincture of hawthorn fruits - 1 teaspoon before bedtime, rose hips - 20 drops once a day, garlic - 8 drops of infusion diluted with water (20 ml) and drunk 3 times throughout the day.

For a decoction, a collection is taken from strawberries, St. John's wort, dill, mother - and - stepmother, marsh cudweed. It is used 2/3 cup of decoction three times throughout the day (the collection of these plants is boiled, infused for 2 days).

Violet, buckthorn bark, mistletoe leaves, and rue are also considered effective. These components can be used to make a decoction or tea, using individual plants, as well as all at the same time for brewing.

Most often, onions, garlic, celery, lemon, honey, walnuts are used to treat atherosclerosis.

The healing mixture of garlic and lemon is very popular for treatment. To prepare it, you need to chop the peeled head of garlic, lemon with zest, pour 500 ml of cooled boiled water, leave for 3 days. Drink 2 tablespoons before meals for 2 months. The method is effective, acts gently.

In addition to those listed, there are many different recipes with other ingredients. It is important to choose the right treatment for yourself, but be sure to use it with the medicines prescribed by the doctor after the examination.

Atherosclerosis refers to diseases that progress throughout life. Appropriate treatment, compliance with all medical advice, the exclusion of risk factors may delay its development.

Systemic damage to arteries of large and medium caliber, accompanied by accumulation of lipids, proliferation of fibrous fibers, endothelial dysfunction of the vascular wall and leading to local and general hemodynamic disorders. Atherosclerosis can be the pathomorphological basis of coronary artery disease, ischemic stroke, obliterating lesions of the lower extremities, chronic occlusion of mesenteric vessels, etc. The diagnostic algorithm includes determining the level of blood lipids, performing ultrasound of the heart and blood vessels, and angiographic studies. With atherosclerosis, drug therapy, diet therapy, and, if necessary, revascularizing surgical interventions are carried out.

General information

Atherosclerosis is a lesion of the arteries, accompanied by cholesterol deposits in the inner membranes of the vessels, narrowing of their lumen and malnutrition of the blood-supplying organ. Atherosclerosis of the vessels of the heart is manifested mainly by attacks of angina pectoris. Leads to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD), myocardial infarction, cardiosclerosis, vascular aneurysm. Atherosclerosis can lead to disability and premature death.

With atherosclerosis, arteries of medium and large caliber, elastic (large arteries, aorta) and muscular-elastic (mixed: carotid, arteries of the brain and heart) types are affected. Therefore, atherosclerosis is the most common cause of myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, cerebral stroke, circulatory disorders of the lower extremities, abdominal aorta, mesenteric and renal arteries.

In recent years, the incidence of atherosclerosis has become rampant, outstripping the risk of disability, disability and mortality such causes as trauma, infectious and oncological diseases. With the greatest frequency, atherosclerosis affects men older than 45-50 years (3-4 times more often than women), but occurs in younger patients.

The mechanism of development of atherosclerosis

With atherosclerosis, systemic damage to the arteries occurs as a result of lipid and protein metabolism disorders in the walls of blood vessels. Metabolic disorders are characterized by a change in the ratio between cholesterol, phospholipids and proteins, as well as excessive formation of β-lipoproteins.

It is believed that in its development atherosclerosis goes through several stages:

I stage- lipid (or fat) spots. For the deposition of fats in the vascular wall, microdamage to the walls of arteries and local slowing of blood flow play an essential role. Areas of branching of vessels are most susceptible to atherosclerosis. The vascular wall loosens and swells. Enzymes in the arterial wall tend to dissolve lipids and protect its integrity. When the defense mechanisms are exhausted, complex complexes of compounds are formed in these areas, consisting of lipids (mainly cholesterol), proteins, and their deposition in the intima occurs ( inner shell) arteries. The duration of the lipid spot stage is different. Such fatty spots are visible only under a microscope, they can be detected even in infants.

II stage- liposclerosis. It is characterized by growth in areas of fatty deposits of the young connective tissue. Gradually, an atherosclerotic (or atheromatous) plaque is formed, consisting of fats and connective tissue fibers. On the this stage atherosclerotic plaques are still liquid and can be subjected to dissolution. On the other hand, they are dangerous, because their loose surface can rupture, and plaque fragments can clog the lumen of the arteries. The wall of the vessel at the site of attachment of the atheromatous plaque loses its elasticity, cracks and ulcerates, leading to the formation of blood clots, which are also a source of potential danger.

III stage- atherocalcinosis. Further plaque formation is associated with its compaction and the deposition of calcium salts in it. An atherosclerotic plaque can behave stably or grow gradually, deforming and narrowing the lumen of the artery, causing a progressive chronic violation of the blood supply to the organ fed by the affected artery. At the same time, there is a high probability of acute blockage (occlusion) of the lumen of the vessel by a thrombus or fragments of a disintegrated atherosclerotic plaque with the development of an infarction site (necrosis) or gangrene in the limb or organ supplied by the artery.

This point of view on the mechanism of development of atherosclerosis is not the only one. There are opinions that infectious agents play a role in the development of atherosclerosis (herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, chlamydial infection, etc.), hereditary diseases accompanied by an increase in cholesterol levels, mutations in the cells of the vascular walls, etc.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis

Factors influencing the development of atherosclerosis are divided into three groups: fatal, removable and potentially removable.

Unremovable factors include those that cannot be eliminated with the help of volitional or medical influence. These include:

• Age. With age, the risk of developing atherosclerosis increases. Atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels in one way or another are observed in all people after 40-50 years.
• Floor. In men, the development of atherosclerosis occurs ten years earlier and exceeds the incidence of atherosclerosis among women by 4 times. After 50-55 years, the incidence of atherosclerosis among women and men levels off. This is due to a decrease in the production of estrogens and their protective function in women during menopause.
• Burdened family heredity. Often, atherosclerosis develops in patients whose relatives suffer from this disease. It has been proven that heredity for atherosclerosis contributes to the early (up to 50 years) development of the disease, while after 50 years, genetic factors do not play a leading role in its development.

Eliminable factors of atherosclerosis are considered to be those that can be excluded by the person himself by changing his usual lifestyle. These include:

• Smoking. Its influence on the development of atherosclerosis is explained by the negative effect of nicotine and tar on blood vessels. Long-term smoking several times increases the risk of hyperlipidemia, arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease.
• Unbalanced nutrition. Eating a large amount of animal fats accelerates the development of atherosclerotic vascular changes.
• Physical inactivity. Maintaining a sedentary lifestyle contributes to the violation of fat metabolism and the development of obesity, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis of blood vessels.

Potentially and partially removable risk factors include those chronic disorders and diseases that can be corrected through the prescribed treatment. These include:

• arterial hypertension. Against the background of high blood pressure, conditions are created for increased impregnation of the vascular wall with fats, which contributes to the formation of an atherosclerotic plaque. On the other hand, decreased elasticity of the arteries in atherosclerosis contributes to the maintenance of elevated blood pressure.
• Dyslipidemia. Violation of fat metabolism in the body, manifested by an increased content of cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins, plays a leading role in the development of atherosclerosis.
• Obesity and diabetes. Increase the likelihood of atherosclerosis by 5-7 times. This is due to a violation of fat metabolism, which underlies these diseases and is the trigger for atherosclerotic vascular lesions.
• Infections and intoxications. Infectious and toxic agents have a damaging effect on the vascular walls, contributing to their atherosclerotic changes.

Knowledge of the factors contributing to the development of atherosclerosis is especially important for its prevention, since the influence of removable and potentially removable circumstances can be weakened or completely eliminated. Elimination of adverse factors can significantly slow down and facilitate the development of atherosclerosis.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis

With atherosclerosis, the thoracic and abdominal aorta, coronary, mesenteric, renal vessels, as well as the arteries of the lower extremities and the brain are more likely to suffer. In the development of atherosclerosis, preclinical (asymptomatic) and clinical periods are distinguished. In the asymptomatic period, an increased content of β-lipoproteins or cholesterol is found in the blood in the absence of symptoms of the disease. Clinically, atherosclerosis begins to manifest itself when there is a narrowing of the arterial lumen by 50% or more. During the clinical period, three stages are distinguished: ischemic, thrombonecrotic and fibrous.

In the stage of ischemia, insufficient blood supply to one or another organ develops (for example, myocardial ischemia due to atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels is manifested by angina pectoris). In the thrombonecrotic stage, thrombosis of altered arteries joins (for example, the course of atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels can be complicated by myocardial infarction). At the stage of fibrotic changes, connective tissue grows in poorly supplied organs (for example, atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries leads to the development of atherosclerotic cardiosclerosis).

The clinical symptoms of atherosclerosis depend on the type of affected arteries. The manifestation of atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels are angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and cardiosclerosis, consistently reflecting the stages of circulatory failure of the heart.

The course of atherosclerosis of the aorta is long and for a long time asymptomatic, even in severe forms. Clinically, atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta is manifested by aortalgia - pressing or burning pains behind the sternum, radiating to the arms, back, neck, and upper abdomen. Unlike pain in angina pectoris, aortalgia can last for several hours and days, periodically weakening or intensifying. The decrease in the elasticity of the walls of the aorta causes an increase in the work of the heart, leading to hypertrophy of the myocardium of the left ventricle.

Atherosclerotic lesion of the abdominal aorta is manifested by pain in the abdomen different localization, flatulence, constipation. With atherosclerosis of the abdominal aortic bifurcation, numbness and coldness of the legs, swelling and hyperemia of the feet, necrosis and ulcers of the toes, intermittent claudication are observed.

Manifestations of atherosclerosis of the mesenteric arteries are bouts of "abdominal toad" and a violation of the digestive function due to insufficient blood supply to the intestine. Patients present with sharp pains a few hours after eating. Pain is localized in the navel or upper abdomen. The duration of the pain attack is from several minutes to 1-3 hours, sometimes the pain syndrome is stopped by taking nitroglycerin. There are bloating, belching, constipation, palpitations, increased blood pressure. Later, fetid diarrhea with fragments of undigested food and undigested fat joins.

Atherosclerosis of the renal arteries leads to the development of symptomatic vasorenal arterial hypertension. In the urine, erythrocytes, protein, cylinders are determined. With unilateral atherosclerotic lesions of the arteries, a slow progression of hypertension is noted, accompanied by persistent changes in the urine and persistently high blood pressure. Bilateral lesion of the renal arteries causes malignant arterial hypertension.

Complications of atherosclerosis

Complications of atherosclerosis are chronic or acute vascular insufficiency of the blood-supplying organ. The development of chronic vascular insufficiency is associated with a gradual narrowing (stenosis) of the lumen of the artery by atherosclerotic changes - stenosing atherosclerosis. chronic insufficiency blood supply to an organ or part of it leads to ischemia, hypoxia, dystrophic and atrophic changes, proliferation of connective tissue and the development of small-focal sclerosis.

Acute occlusion of blood vessels by a thrombus or embolus leads to the occurrence of acute vascular insufficiency, which is manifested by the clinic of acute ischemia and organ infarction. In some cases, an arterial aneurysm may rupture with lethal outcome.

Diagnosis of atherosclerosis

Initial data for atherosclerosis are established by clarifying the patient's complaints and risk factors. A consultation with a cardiologist is recommended. During a general examination, signs of atherosclerotic lesions of the vessels of internal organs are revealed: edema, trophic disorders, weight loss, multiple wen on the body, etc. Auscultation of the vessels of the heart and aorta reveals systolic murmurs. Atherosclerosis is evidenced by a change in the pulsation of the arteries, an increase in blood pressure, etc.

Laboratory data indicate elevated level blood cholesterol, low density lipoproteins, triglycerides. X-ray aortography reveals signs of atherosclerosis of the aorta: its elongation, thickening, calcification, expansion in the abdominal or thoracic regions, the presence of aneurysms. The condition of the coronary arteries is determined by coronary angiography.

Blood flow disorders in other arteries are determined by angiography - contrast radiography of blood vessels. With atherosclerosis of the arteries of the lower extremities, according to angiography, their obliteration is recorded. With the help of ultrasound examination of the vessels of the kidneys, atherosclerosis of the renal arteries and the corresponding impaired renal function are detected.

Methods of ultrasound diagnostics of the arteries of the heart, lower extremities, aorta, carotid arteries register a decrease in the main blood flow through them, the presence of atheromatous plaques and blood clots in the lumen of the vessels. Decreased blood flow can be diagnosed using rheovasography of the lower extremities.

Treatment of atherosclerosis

In the treatment of atherosclerosis, the following principles are followed:

• restriction of cholesterol entering the body and a decrease in its synthesis by tissue cells;
• increased excretion of cholesterol and its metabolites from the body;
• use of estrogen replacement therapy in menopausal women;
• impact on infectious agents.

Restriction of dietary cholesterol is made by prescribing a diet that excludes cholesterol-containing foods.

For the medical treatment of atherosclerosis, the following groups of drugs are used:

• Nicotinic acid and its derivatives - effectively reduce the content of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood, increase the content of high-density lipoproteins, which have anti-atherogenic properties. The appointment of nicotinic acid preparations is contraindicated in patients suffering from liver diseases.
• Fibrates (clofibrate) - reduce the synthesis of your own fats in the body. They can also cause liver dysfunction and gallstone disease.
• Bile acid sequestrants (cholestyramine, colestipol) - bind and remove bile acids from the intestine, thereby lowering the amount of fat and cholesterol in the cells. When used, constipation and flatulence may occur.
• Drugs of the statin group (lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin) are the most effective for lowering cholesterol, since they reduce its production in the body itself. Statins are used at night, because cholesterol synthesis increases at night. May lead to liver dysfunction.

Holding surgical treatment in atherosclerosis, it is indicated in cases of high risk or development of arterial occlusion by a plaque or thrombus. On the arteries are carried out as open operations(endarterectomy), and endovascular - with dilatation of the artery using balloon catheters and the installation of a stent at the site of narrowing of the artery, which prevents blockage of the vessel.

With severe atherosclerosis of the heart vessels, threatening the development of myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass grafting is performed.

Forecast and prevention of atherosclerosis

In many ways, the prognosis of atherosclerosis is determined by the behavior and lifestyle of the patient himself. Elimination of possible risk factors and active drug therapy can delay the development of atherosclerosis and achieve improvement in the patient's condition. With the development of acute circulatory disorders with the formation of foci of necrosis in the organs, the prognosis worsens.

In order to prevent atherosclerosis, it is necessary to stop smoking, eliminate the stress factor, switch to low-fat and low-cholesterol foods, systematic physical activity in proportion to one's abilities and age, and normalization of weight. It is advisable to include in the diet products containing fiber, vegetable fats (linseed and olive oils), which dissolve cholesterol deposits. The progression of atherosclerosis can be slowed down by taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.