Atherosclerosis is the condition of plaque building up in the artery wall resulting in the hardening of the blood vessel. The build-up consists of cholesterol, calcium, and other fatty materials, which can completely or partly obstruct blood flow to the heart. Blood clots may form, or plaque may splinter in this condition, which can entirely block arteries cutting off oxygen flow and resulting in a heart attack or stroke. However, there are numerous treatment options for atherosclerosis.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis
Most atherosclerosis signs don’t show up until a blockage occurs. The following are typical symptoms of this condition:
Pain in the body part where there is an artery blockage
Any chest discomfort or angina
Breathing difficulty
Edema
Fatigue
Leg muscle stiffness brought on by poor circulation
Confusion, if the obstruction interferes with blood flow to the brain
Loss of sensation on one side of the body as a result of a blockage that interferes with blood flow to the brain

In addition, it’s also crucial to understand the warning indications of a heart attack and a stroke. Both conditions may be brought on by atherosclerosis. A transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a “mini-stroke,” is a warning sign that a full stroke could occur. After sustaining for a short while, the symptoms disappear. One side of the body may feel numb or weak, and signs may include a severe, sudden headache and trouble moving or thinking.

Causes of atherosclerosis
High cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy fat-like substance that belongs to the group of lipids. The arteries can get clogged if this substance is too high in the blood. Blood flow to the heart and other organs get restricted or obstructed when cholesterol hardens into a plaque that eventually causes atherosclerosis.

Nutrition
Optimum nutrition is necessary for maintaining a healthy body. The American Heart Association (AHA) suggests that one should adhere to a meal plan that focuses on the following foods:
Whole grains
A variety of fruits and veggies
Lean meats and seafood
Low-calorie dairy items
Nuts and legumes
Olive oil and other non-tropical food oils like sunflower oil

Aging
The heart and blood vessels must work harder to circulate and receive blood as we age. The arteries may consequently harden and lose some elasticity and flexibility, making them more prone to plaque accumulation.

Diagnosis for atherosclerosis
A series of diagnostic tests might be performed on the patient to get a clear and accurate diagnosis of the disease. These include:

Angiography
It is a special X-ray used to find and quantify obstructions. The doctor will infuse a contrast dye into one’s arteries to make the blockages visible on the X-ray film.

Echocardiogram (echo)
An echo monitors how well a person’s heart is pumping while taking images of the chambers and valves of the heart.

Electrocardiogram (EKG)
An EKG analyses the electrical activity, rhythm, and rate of one’s heart.

Ankle-brachial test
To assess blood flow to the arms and legs, this test compares the blood pressure in one’s ankle to the pressure in the arm.

MRI
This scan, which produces images of the interior of the body, can detect any hardening or narrowing of the major arteries.

A chest x-ray
An X-ray of the thorax produces images of one’s internal organs.

Exercise stress test
This exam evaluates how well one’s heart works while exercising.

Carotid ultrasonography
This examination produces ultrasound images of the neck vessels (Carotid arteries). As blood travels to the brain, it can spot the hardening or narrowing of these vessels.

Abdominal ultrasound
This ultrasound captures one’s abdominal artery on camera. It looks for aortic plaque accumulation or ballooning (abdominal aortic aneurysm).

Treatment of atherosclerosis
The doctor might suggest the following surgical methods to treat conditions associated with atherosclerosis:

Carotid endarterectomy
This procedure unblocks a narrowed carotid artery, allowing blood to circulate again to the brain. This reduces one’s chances of getting a stroke.

Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
CABG is an open procedure that reroutes blood around a blocked coronary artery using a blood vessel taken from another area of the body. Doctors conduct coronary artery bypass grafting to maintain the normal quantity of blood flowing to one’s heart and enhance heart function.

Endarterectomy
This form of open surgery is conducted to remove plaque to unblock narrowed arteries.

Endovascular treatment
A variety of less invasive catheter-based procedures are included in endovascular treatment. A catheter is a tiny tube that the doctor threads through one’s arteries from a blood vessel in the groin or wrist to the region that needs treatment. The doctor employs modern methods to clear obstructions, strengthen vulnerable regions, and reroute blood flow.

Limb preservation
It is the process of taking proactive measures to keep a foot or limb from being amputated in patients with peripheral artery disease.