The main causes of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, diagnosis and treatment. How is atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels manifested and its treatment Atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels of the heart

What is vascular atherosclerosis

Vascular atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that affects the vessels in almost the entire body: brain vessels, heart vessels (coronary vessels), arteries, vessels of the lower extremities. The form and symptoms of atherosclerosis depend on the location of the disease.

The essence of atherosclerosis is that growths appear on the inner surface of the arteries (which is even and smooth in a healthy state) - cholesterol deposits. They harden and affect the inner walls of the vessel. These outgrowths ("cholesterol atherosclerotic plaques") are covered with connective tissue, protrude into the cavity of the blood vessel and narrow the lumen of the vessel, reduce its diameter and impede blood circulation. Internal organs suffering from malnutrition cease to function fully. Increased risk of thrombosis and stroke.

Causes of atherosclerosis

The causes of atherosclerosis can be conditionally divided into primary and secondary. The primary causes of atherosclerosis include previous diseases:

• gout (increased levels of uric acid in the body);
• hypertension (systematically high blood pressure);
• diabetes mellitus (disorders of carbohydrate metabolism);
• hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid);
• acute and chronic kidney disease;
• liver diseases, as a result of which there is an increased production of endogenous cholesterol.

Secondary factors in the formation of atherosclerosis are lifestyle, dietary habits, and the presence of bad habits.

• alcohol and smoking;
• excess body weight;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• eating fatty and fried foods (especially trans fats);
• long-term use of hormonal contraceptives;
• advanced age;
• stress, physical and emotional strain.

Forms and symptoms of vascular atherosclerosis

Symptoms of atherosclerosis depend on the location of the disease.

• Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels. Often they say "cerebral atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain." In this case, the arteries of the brain are affected by cholesterol plaques located in large and medium-sized vessels. Symptoms: deterioration of memory, concentration, decreased mental activity, dizziness, headaches. Symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels are often associated with typical signs of aging.
• Atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries(carotid atherosclerosis) is a disease characterized by damage to the carotid arteries. The carotid arteries are the most important conductors of oxygen for the brain. Speech abilities, thinking, sensations and motor activity depend on the full-fledged work of these arteries. With the defeat of the carotid arteries, the full functioning of the brain and the whole organism is disrupted. Symptoms of such atherosclerosis: illegible speech, loss of vision in one eye, memory impairment, sensations of loss of sensitivity, numbness of the extremities.
• Atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels. There is a violation of the blood supply to the tissues of the heart, outwardly this manifests itself as attacks of angina pectoris, cardiosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction.
• Atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta. Symptoms: increased systolic blood pressure, dizziness, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, prolonged pressing or burning pain in the chest.
• Atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. At the initial stages of the disease, the symptoms of atherosclerosis of the lower extremities include fatigue and pain in the calf muscles, chilliness in the legs, cramps, and blanching of the skin of the legs.
• Obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, is one of the forms of atherosclerosis of the legs. In this disease, plaques of cholesterol form on the walls of the arteries, they disrupt normal blood flow, causing narrowing of blood vessels (stenosis) or its complete blockage, called occlusion or obliteration. In the advanced stage of obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, an irreversible process of necrosis occurs - gangrene of the leg (necrosis of all tissues below the site of blockage of the artery).

Complications due to atherosclerosis

As a result of atherosclerosis, a chronic autoimmune process often develops in atherosclerotic plaques. The connective tissue grows and this leads to a slow deformation and narrowing of the lumen, thereby causing a chronic, slowly increasing insufficiency of blood supply to the organ that feeds through the affected artery. It is also possible to block the lumen with a thrombus or the contents of an atherosclerotic plaque that has disintegrated.

As a result, the most severe complications of vascular atherosclerosis are stroke, heart attack (tissue necrosis) and gangrene in the organ that is powered by this artery.

A stroke is an acute circulatory disorder in the brain. Distinguish between ischemic stroke (cholesterol plaque or blood clot blocking the vessel) and hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain - often a consequence of high blood pressure). Thus, through stroke, complications from atherosclerosis lead to neurological problems, including paralysis.

Speaking of a heart attack, most often they mean myocardial infarction (a consequence of atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels), - heart damage. Necrotic changes in the tissues of the heart muscle in this case are irreversible, there will be a scar from the connective tissue. And in the future, this scar will interfere with normal blood flow in the vessels of the heart.

In the case of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, complications in the form of gangrene often lead to amputation.

All these conditions and diseases are life-threatening and often lead to disability.

Prevention of atherosclerosis

Prevention of atherosclerosis includes smoking cessation, weight regulation, limiting emotional overload, certain food restrictions, and increasing physical activity.

To maintain the body and prevent atherosclerosis, you should eat foods low in salt, sugar and cholesterol. A low-calorie, low-fat diet is recommended. It is necessary to eat cereals, vegetables, herbs, red wine, unrefined vegetable oil.

Treatment of vascular atherosclerosis

Treatment of atherosclerosis can be medical and surgical.

Treatment of atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, of course, medication. Prescribe drugs that:

• expand the vessels of the brain;
• strengthen the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels;
• improve metabolism at the cellular level of the brain;
• lower the level of cholesterol in the vessels;
• relieve vasospasm.

In the treatment of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, in addition to taking medications, physiotherapy is also used. In the presence of trophic ulcers, antibiotic ointments are used.

In the treatment of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, surgical intervention is also allowed, but usually this is already an extreme measure. Surgery is prescribed for pronounced ischemia and the occurrence of very severe complications.

The need and extent of surgery is determined by the surgeon. Surgical treatment of atherosclerosis does not provide a complete cure. The complication is eliminated, and not the cause that caused it (atherosclerosis). Therefore, after the operation, lifestyle changes, nutrition and conservative treatment are required.

• treatment of a concomitant disease that aggravates atherosclerosis (for example, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, etc.),
• smoking cessation,
• low cholesterol diet
• moderate exercise,
• in the case of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the legs - wearing comfortable shoes.

Dienai line preparations are suitable both for already diagnosed atherosclerosis and for the prevention of vascular atherosclerosis. In this case, the difference will be only in the duration of administration and in the number of drugs.

For example, for the prevention of atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels you can take Midivirin - a source of oligonucleotides and natural taurine.

For the prevention of atherosclerosis of the heart vessels- you can take one basic Dienai or in combination with Venomax, - a source of oligonucleotides and bioflavonoids, the drug cleanses blood vessels and strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

For the prevention of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities- You can also take Venomax, but in combination with Venomax Axiom. Venomax Axima accelerates the outflow of lymph from tissues in which blood circulation is reduced, eliminates swelling of the lower extremities.

In cases of progressive atherosclerosis we can recommend the following complexes:

1. Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, - drugs:
   • 1st month: Dianay 70 capsules
   • 2nd month: Venomax 50 capsules + Vasomax 30 capsules
   • 3rd month: Midivirine 70 capsules
   • 4th month: Neurostim 50 capsules
   • 5th month: Neurostim Indigo 10 capsules
2. Obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, - preparations:
   • 1st month: Dienai + Venomax Axiom 10 capsules
   • 2nd month: suppress the inflammatory process in the vessels. The latter is very important, since as a result of inflammation, the atherosclerotic plaque becomes unstable and at any moment it can rupture, fraught with the formation of a blood clot and the development of myocardial infarction.

     Clinical trials of Dienai have shown that the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood is reduced by 25-30%, in contrast to the pharmacological preparations of statins, which have a direct inhibitory effect on cholesterol synthesis, the abolition of Dienai does not cause a sharp reverse effect, that is, an even higher increase in cholesterol levels . Dienai can and should be taken with traditional lipid-lowering drugs, since the mechanisms of its anti-atherogenic action are different, and therefore complement and make the treatment of multifactorial atherosclerosis complex.

     Dosing regimen

     All of the above drugs applied consistently, first a course of one drug, then another, etc. Each package is a course for a month.

     Dosage: Start with 1 capsule per day, then every 3 days increase the dosage by 1 capsule. The maximum dosage is 3-4 capsules per day.

     With atherosclerosis of the vessels of the head, it must be understood that Dienai preparations clean the vessels (this is sensitive for the vessels of the head), so there may be discomfort in the form of a headache. In this case, simply reduce the dosage to a comfortable level.

     In case of myocardial infarction, stroke, enderteritis, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the above drugs should be taken in combination with pharmacological drugs prescribed by your doctor.

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is a chronic disease characterized by the formation of plaques in the lumen of the arteries. They interfere with normal blood flow, narrowing and blocking its lumen.

If left untreated, the disease progresses and can be the cause of death of the patient. Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is dangerous for the development of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction. According to the international classification of diseases of the 10th reading, atherosclerosis is assigned code 170.

Causes of the disease

Atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels develops due to a violation of lipid metabolism. It is this condition that provokes an increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood, which is why cholesterol plaques form on the walls of blood vessels. Gradually growing, they block the lumen, and this prevents the normal movement of blood.

This process is long and can develop over decades, while a person does not even suspect that irreversible pathological changes occur in the vessels. Experts identify many factors that predispose to the development of atherosclerosis, among them:

• abuse of high-fat foods;
• lack of physical activity;
• genetic predisposition;
• vascular weakness;
• high blood pressure;
• belonging to the male sex;
• age over 45;
• obesity;
• long-term smoking;
• diabetes.

In addition, hormonal changes contribute to an increase in blood cholesterol levels. Therefore, the period of menopause in women is a kind of period of risk for the development of atherosclerosis. Psychoemotional stresses also disrupt lipid metabolism. Under the influence of the above factors, the inner wall of the artery is first damaged.

Low-density lipoproteins, or, as they are otherwise called, "bad cholesterol" easily penetrate into the places where defects are formed. This is how a lipid stain is formed. As a result of various chemical reactions occurring in this area, an inflammatory process begins. All this favors the accumulation of cholesterol and connective tissue, the gradual formation of an atherosclerotic plaque.

A similar pathological process entails the following changes in the vascular wall:

• malnutrition of the artery;
• proliferation of connective tissue;
• deposition of calcium salts on the walls of blood vessels;
• decreased elasticity of blood vessels;
• deformation and compaction;
• narrowing of the lumen;
• violation of the blood supply to organs.

Atherosclerosis develops as a result of blockage of an artery by a cholesterol plaque.

The course of the disease and symptoms

At the beginning of its development, the disease has a slow course and can develop for many years, but actively progresses in the second half of life. Most often, the disease manifests itself between 40 and 55 years. This mechanism is triggered by a combination of negative factors and hereditary predisposition. Signs of the disease become noticeable with severe circulatory disorders.

This occurs when the lumen of the vessels is narrowed by more than half. In this case, we speak of stenosing atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis of the aorta of the coronary arteries is asymptomatic for a long time. The aorta is the largest vessel of the human body, and for a long time it narrows without specific clinical manifestations. Pathology can be suspected by specific symptoms.

With the defeat of the thoracic aorta, the blood supply to the heart and cerebral vessels is disturbed. This is manifested in the development of angina pectoris. Pain in the region of the heart is given to the spine and upper chest, as well as to the arm. The pain is permanent and can last for several days in a row. In addition, blood pressure rises, general weakness and dizziness occur.

Violation of blood flow in the cerebral arteries can cause causeless fainting.

Coronary atherosclerosis is characterized by the following manifestations:

• sharp and burning retrosternal pain;
• irradiation of pain in the upper body and jaw;
• feeling of discomfort after minor physical activity;
• dyspnea;
• pain lasts no more than 15 minutes;
• painful symptoms are eliminated after taking nitroglycerin.

Depending on the depth of changes occurring in the myocardium and blood vessels, there are 3 stages of the disease: ischemia, thrombonecrotic changes, fibrosis. At the stage of ischemia, the heart experiences a shortage of arterial blood, which leads to hypoxia and dystrophic changes. The main manifestation of this stage is chest pain.

The gradual increase in plaque size increases the risk of rupture, and atherosclerosis enters the thrombonecrotic phase. It is characterized by damage to atherosclerotic deposits and subsequent thrombus formation with blockage of the lumen of the artery. This stage can be manifested by myocardial necrosis, or infarction.

This is the most dangerous form of coronary heart disease (CHD). Its main symptom is superintense sharp pain in the chest, accompanied by an increased fear of death. At the stage of fibrotic changes, chronic ischemia develops as a result of stenosing atherosclerosis.

Complications of atherosclerosis of the aorta and heart vessels are the following conditions:

• insufficiency of arterial circulation;
• sclerotic changes in the myocardium;
• cardiac ischemia;
• heart attack.

Acute pain in the region of the heart is an alarming sign indicating possible atherosclerosis

Diagnostic methods

Diagnosis of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is carried out in 2 stages. First, the patient is interviewed. It is important that he talks in detail about the symptoms that bother him. When listening to the heart, the doctor will detect muffled tones and systolic murmur in the upper part of the organ. Pathology will be indicated by tachycardia (rapid pulse). This is revealed by counting heartbeats in 1 minute.

At the second stage, laboratory and instrumental methods of examination are assigned. With the help of a blood test, an elevated cholesterol level is detected. For this, a lipid profile is performed. It also reflects the levels of lipoproteins and triglycerides. The change in liver and kidney tests is assessed through a biochemical blood test and is an important diagnostic indicator.

The diagnosis is confirmed by the results of the following instrumental methods of examination:

• Coronary angiography. X-ray of the heart with contrast allows you to identify the location of the affected vessel, its length and degree of narrowing.
• Doppler intravascular ultrasound. Structural changes in the vessels, such as wall thickness and impaired contractility, are identified. In addition, hemodynamics and the condition of the valves are assessed.
• Stress scintigraphy. The location of lipid plaques and the degree of their severity are determined.
• Stress-ECHO. Assesses changes in cardiac contractility in areas with impaired blood flow.

Treatment Methods

Therapeutic tactics for atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is determined by the severity of the disease and its stage. Pathology requires a change in lifestyle, in particular, it is necessary:

• completely stop smoking and drinking alcohol;
• exclude animal fats, fried foods and sweets from the diet;
• increase the consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits, dairy products;
• follow the recommendations of the cardiologist on physical activity;
• take measures to reduce weight in the presence of extra pounds.

The disease is subject to conservative and surgical treatment. Drug therapy is used at the initial stage of atherosclerosis of the heart vessels and can slow down the course of pathological changes, as well as eliminate the symptoms of the disease. Symptomatic therapy includes taking painkillers and drugs that normalize blood pressure and blood circulation.

In the treatment, drugs from the statin group are necessarily used. Against the background of their reception, there is an effective decrease in the level of cholesterol in the blood. This action is due to the ability to suppress the production of cholesterol in the liver. These are drugs such as Mevacol, Lovastatin, Simvastatin.

With atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, drugs are also prescribed that reduce the heart's need for oxygen. Their use allows minimizing the manifestations of ischemia. For this, the patient is prescribed beta-blockers, antiplatelet agents, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors.

Fibrates are prescribed to prevent the formation of fats in the liver. But their intake must be carried out in short courses, since long-term use will negatively affect the state of the body. These drugs include Fenofibrate and Clofibrate. Thrombolytic drugs are prescribed to restore blood flow.

Treatment of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is aimed at restoring patency and eliminating pathological deposits on the walls of blood vessels.

Surgical methods of treatment are used in advanced cases of the disease. The following methods are practiced:

• Balloon angioplasty. A catheter with a balloon is inserted through the femoral artery into the affected vessel, which expands the narrowed area.
• Coronary artery bypass grafting. An alternative path for the passage of blood is created, bypassing the artery affected by the plaque.
• coronary stenting. A frame stent is installed on the walls of the narrowed artery, holding the walls in an expanded state.

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is a slowly progressive but severe disease leading to the death of the patient. Therefore, it is important to monitor the level of cholesterol in the blood and, if a change in indicators is detected, adjust lifestyle and nutrition. These measures will help prevent complications in the presymptomatic period of the disease.

If the pathology was revealed at a later stage, then it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations regarding the use of medications. This determines the favorable prognosis for the patient's life. Atherosclerosis is dangerous for the development of coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction.

Coronary atherosclerosis (or atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart) is the overgrowth of blood vessels with fatty deposits. Excess cholesterol is deposited in the form of plaques on the walls of blood vessels and reduces their lumen, impeding blood flow and complicating the work of the heart muscle. Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart leads to a significant decrease in the supply of fresh blood to the myocardium, due to which it begins to experience a lack of oxygen and nutrition.

Causes of atherosclerosis

Coronary atherosclerosis is provoked by the following factors:

• Excessive intake of animal fats rich in saturated fatty acids. As a result, the concentration of low-density lipoproteins in the blood increases, which settle on the inner walls of blood vessels, forming plaques.
• Physical inactivity has become a companion of civilized life. Thanks to the development of transport, people began to move comfortably and effortlessly. However, doctors believe that in order to maintain a healthy tone, a person needs to walk about 10 kilometers a day.
• Genetic predisposition increases the chance of developing atherosclerosis in some people.
• Gender - it is known that women are less likely to suffer from atherosclerosis due to the fact that the female body generates the hormone estrogen, which prevents sclerotization of blood vessels. But after menopause, women lose their natural protection.
• Age - usually the condition of the vessels worsens after 35 years, primarily in men.
• Overweight - it is obvious that obese people are many times more likely to have problems with clogged vessels.
• Bad habits are also an important factor contributing to atherosclerosis, especially smoking.
• Diabetes mellitus - with this disease, many metabolic processes in the body are disturbed, this also applies to the metabolism of fats.

In total, scientists have discovered about two hundred different causes that cause atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels of the heart.

Video about the causes and risk factors for the development of coronary atherosclerosis:

Symptoms of atherosclerosis

Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries often may not cause anxiety in a person at all, and in other cases resemble the symptoms of other diseases. Therefore, it is important to make an early diagnosis of this insidious disease. After all, neglected atherosclerosis with stenosis will inevitably lead to serious complications if it is not treated.

You should not hesitate to do the diagnosis, experiencing the following sensations:

• burning, almost unbearable pains in the chest;
• heaviness in the chest, radiating to the left arm or back;
• shortness of breath, not stopping even in the supine position;
• respiratory disorders;
• severe dizziness;
• nausea leading to vomiting.

These symptoms are common to a whole group of cardiac diseases, such as coronary artery disease, cardiosclerosis, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction. But with cardiosclerosis, edema is also observed, and with heart failure, loss of consciousness may occur.

Atherosclerosis is especially dangerous because in the initial stage it proceeds completely without symptoms, and often it is accidentally detected only during routine examinations.

Video about the process of formation of coronary atherosclerosis:

Diagnosis of atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels

If atherosclerosis is suspected, then the following studies are prescribed:

• A biochemical blood test that reveals an increased content of cholesterol in it and a violation of the proportion of lipoproteins.
• Doppler ultrasound allows you to assess the state of blood flow in the coronary vessels.
• Angiography (coronography of the heart) is a method that provides a lot of information. With its help, you can assess the place of narrowing of the lumen of the vessel and its degree. A radiopaque substance is injected into the blood, making the vascular network visible and allowing its condition to be assessed.

• An electrocardiogram allows you to detect ischemic changes in the myocardium, the presence of deviations in the patient's rhythm and other characteristics of heart contractions.
• Radionuclide diagnostics.
• Bicycle ergometry, treadmill tests.
• Computed tomography, including multislice type.

Here, a detailed description of the sensations by the patient himself is important, thanks to which you can clarify the diagnosis and choose a scheme in which atherosclerosis of the aorta and coronary arteries will be the most effective treatment.

Treatment of coronary atherosclerosis

Treatment of atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels depends on the stage of the disease at which it was detected. If the patient was diagnosed at an early stage of atherosclerosis, it is usually limited to drug therapy using drugs that lower blood cholesterol levels.

Atherosclerosis must be treated as soon as possible so that it does not lead to much more serious complications. Modern medicine has a sufficient number of methods and means to cure patients without resorting to serious intervention in the body:

• Diet. It is important to drastically reduce the amount of animal fats that enter the body with food. They can be replaced with vegetable fats, especially those rich in polyunsaturated fatty organic acids that prevent the development of atherosclerosis.
• Lifestyle change. It is important for the patient to force himself to move as much as possible in daily life.
• The use of pharmacological drugs from the category of statins can reduce blood cholesterol and atherogenic lipids. But when applying them, the doctor must take into account that there is much in common between cholesterol and testosterone (origin and similar structure). Therefore, these drugs are contraindicated for young men who are sexually active.
• The use of drugs that reduce myocardial oxygen demand, protect the heart muscle and smooth out ischemic manifestations. These include calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, antiplatelet agents, and ACE inhibitors.

But if there is already running atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart, its treatment with conservative measures will be ineffective. Then the blood flow in the coronary vessels has to be restored by surgery:

Coronary artery bypass grafting

Coronary artery bypass grafting involves creating a bypass route for blood flow, bypassing an area with a narrowing or occlusion. A fragment of another vessel is taken from the patient and sutured above and below the damaged area. After that, the blood continues to circulate through the narrowed fragment, but mostly goes along the bypass.

Balloon angioplasty

Balloon angioplasty refers to the methods of endovascular surgery. Here, the intervention is carried out through a puncture made in the femoral artery. A catheter is inserted into the vessel and retrogradely brought to the place where the coronary artery is narrowed. After that, a balloon is inflated at the end of the catheter and thereby expands the lumen of the vessel. The blood flow is restored, and ischemia of the cardiac tissues stops.

coronary stenting

Coronary stenting is in many ways similar to the method described above. Only in the case of balloon angioplasty, after the expansion of the lumen, the balloon is removed, after which the vessel narrows again, and during stenting, the balloon opens the stent - a special design with a fairly rigid frame. The stent material has a memory effect, that is, it remembers its shape. Over time, the vascular tissue grows through the mesh frame of the stent and securely fixes it. Sometimes stents are therapeutic - a drug is applied to their surface, which dissolves slowly and does not allow blood clots to form, thereby reducing the likelihood of complications.

Have you or your loved ones already experienced coronary atherosclerosis? Did you manage to defeat this disease and in what way? Share your story in the comments.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The main causes of the development of the disease

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

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

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

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

Stages of disease development

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

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

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

How does the disease manifest itself?

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

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

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

Diagnostic measures

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

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

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

Methods of treatment

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

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

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

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

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

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

Surgery

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

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

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

Food

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

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

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

Folk methods of treating the disease

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

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

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

Possible complications and prevention

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is a chronic pathology that leads to the development of lipid plaques on the vascular endothelium. The disease gradually progresses, causing ischemic damage to the heart due to narrowing of the lumen of the vessels or its complete blockage.

In the absence of therapy, atherosclerotic changes provoke vascular insufficiency, which can lead to the death of the patient. Therefore, it is necessary to consider in more detail what it is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries, its causes, symptoms and methods of therapy.

Description of the disease

What is coronary atherosclerosis? This is a chronic pathology that leads to a gradual thickening and narrowing of the coronary arteries due to the development of plaques on the vascular endothelium. The disease develops over several decades.

Usually, the first signs of atherosclerotic vascular lesions appear at a young age, but the disease begins to progress in middle-aged people. The first symptoms of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries usually appear after 45-55 years.

The development of atherosclerotic plaques occurs against the background of the accumulation of low-density lipoproteins, which contain cholesterol.

Pathological neoplasms gradually grow, begin to bulge into the lumen of the coronary artery. This leads to disruption of blood flow up to its complete stop. The narrowing of the lumen of the arteries causes oxygen starvation of the heart muscle, a violation of its function, the development of ischemic damage.

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries has the following stages:

1. At the initial stages of the pathology, a slowdown in blood flow is noted, the appearance of microcracks in the vascular endothelium. Such changes lead to the gradual deposition of lipids on the intima of the arteries, thus developing a fatty spot. The weakening of the protective mechanisms causes an increase in the proliferation of the vascular wall, the growth of neoplasms, and their fusion into lipid strips.
2. In the second stage, the growth of fatty formations is noted. As a result, atherosclerotic plaques appear on the intima of the coronary arteries. At this stage, the development of blood clots is possible, which are able to come off and close the lumen of the artery.
3. At the last stage, plaque thickening is noted due to the deposition of calcium salts. This provokes a narrowing of the lumen of the artery, its deformation.

The main causes of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels of the heart can develop under the influence of exogenous and endogenous causes. Doctors identify about 200 different provoking factors that increase the risk of developing pathology.

However, the most common reasons are:

Clinical picture of the disease

In the early stages, atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart proceeds in a latent form. Usually the first signs of the disease are noted by middle-aged people.

Therefore, doctors recommend that all people who have crossed the 35-year mark undergo annual examinations. However, smoking, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia can lead to earlier development of symptoms of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries.

The first signs of the disease include the following symptoms:

• Soreness in the chest, radiating to the back or left shoulder;
• The appearance of shortness of breath at the beginning of the pain syndrome. Sometimes patients are not able to be in a horizontal position due to respiratory failure;
• Dizziness;
• Nausea and vomiting.

The listed symptoms of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries are not specific, so they are often confused with other pathologies of the cardiovascular system. This greatly complicates the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

With further progression, atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels causes the following symptoms:

Diagnostic measures

It is possible to suspect the development of atherosclerotic lesions of the coronary vessels during the ECG, which determines the signs of ischemia of the heart muscle.

To confirm atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart, the following studies are performed:

1. Stress scintigraphy. The method allows to establish the localization of lipid neoplasms on the intima of the vessels, the degree of their severity;
2. Intravascular ultrasound and Doppler ultrasound. Allow to identify changes in the structure of blood vessels: wall thickness, chamber size, the presence of departments with impaired contractility, assess hemodynamics and valve morphology;
3. Coronary angiography. It is an X-ray examination of the heart with contrast. The method helps to determine the localization and length of the affected vessels, the degree of narrowing of the artery;
4. Stress-ECHO. The technique allows to determine transient disorders of cardiac contractility in areas with altered blood flow.

Features of conservative therapy

The tactics of treating atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels of the heart is determined by the stage of the disease. With timely diagnosis of pathology, therapy involves a change in lifestyle:

• Rejection of bad habits;
• Nutrition normalization. It is recommended to drastically reduce the consumption of animal fats, to refuse fried foods, sweets. Fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, dairy products should be introduced into the diet;
• Regular moderate physical activity, which is recommended by a cardiologist. This will help normalize metabolic processes;
• Weight normalization.

At the initial stages of the disease, eliminating the symptoms and slowing down the pathological changes in the vessels will allow
conservative treatment. The drugs of choice are statins, which effectively reduce the level of cholesterol in the bloodstream by inhibiting the synthesis of a lipid compound by hepatocytes.

Treatment of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries involves the appointment of drugs that reduce the need for oxygen in the heart muscle.

This allows you to protect the heart, reduce the severity of ischemia. For this purpose, drugs from the following groups are widely used: beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, antiplatelet agents.

Surgical treatment

In advanced cases, the treatment of atherosclerosis involves surgical intervention. The following methods are widely used:

Possible complications and prognosis

Atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels can lead to the development of acute or chronic vascular insufficiency. The chronic form of pathology involves a gradual narrowing of the vessel. As a result, atrophic and hypoxic myocardial damage occurs, and ischemia may develop.

Acute insufficiency develops heart attacks. This complication can be fatal if the aneurysm ruptures. Atherosclerotic vascular disease can contribute to the development of peripheral arterial disease, stroke, transient ischemic attacks.

The prognosis of atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels is determined by how clearly the patient follows the recommendations of the cardiologist, keeps to a diet, and a healthy lifestyle. This allows you to restrain the further progression of the pathology, to maintain good health. If the patient has formed foci of necrosis, an acute violation of blood flow, then the prognosis is not favorable.

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is a chronic vascular disease. The disease leads to malnutrition of the myocardium, therefore, it can cause the development of severe complications.

However, proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle will help prevent and slow down the pathology.