“Atherosclerosis is the build-up of fatty material (atheroma)
inside your arteries. It’s a potentially serious condition
that causes most heart attacks and strokes…”.1

Umbrella
What may the Atherosclerosis Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Arteriosclerosis
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Hardening of the Arteries

Arteriosclerosis and Atherosclerosis

Is there a difference between arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis?

In Arteriosclerosis / Atherosclerosis: Overview the (United States) Mayo Clinic explain:

“Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are sometimes used to mean the same thing, but there’s a difference between the two terms”.2

In What Is Atherosclerosis? Confused About Terms? the (United States) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) note:

Atherosclerosis is not the same as arteriosclerosis, which refers to “hardening of the arteries,” which means the arteries thicken and lose flexibility. Arteriosclerosis has several different causes. Atherosclerosis, which develops from fatty plaque buildup, is a common type of arteriosclerosis”.3

Atherosclerosis

What is atherosclerosis?

DotS the definition of atherosclerosis may vary. The Mayo Clinic’s definition is:

“Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis”.4

The NHLBI’s definition is:

“Atherosclerosis is a common condition that develops when a sticky substance called plaque builds up inside your arteries”.5

In Atherosclerosis the British Heart Foundation’s definition is:

“Atherosclerosis is the build-up of fatty material (atheroma) inside your arteries. It’s a potentially serious condition that causes most heart attacks and strokes but often goes unnoticed”.6

Cause

What causes atherosclerosis?

In What Is Atherosclerosis? How It Starts and How It Progresses the American Heart Association elaborate on:

“The cause of atherosclerosis isn’t completely known.

Many scientists believe plaque begins when an artery’s inner lining (called the endothelium) becomes damaged. Four possible causes of such damage are:

  • Elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood
  • High blood pressure
  • Cigarette smoking
  • Diabetes”.7

Common or Not

How common is atherosclerosis?

In Atherosclerosis: What Is the NHLBI note:

“Disease linked to atherosclerosis is the leading cause of death in the United States. About half of Americans between ages 45 and 84 have atherosclerosis and don’t know it”.8

Risk Factors

What do atherosclerosis risk factors include?

In Atherosclerosis the (United States) Cleveland Clinic explain:

“Risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, tobacco use, obesity, lack of exercise and a diet high in saturated fat”.9

In Atherosclerosis: Things You can Do To Help With Atherosclerosis the NHS note:

“Things that increase your chances of getting atherosclerosis include:

  • Being over 65 years of age
  • Smoking
  • Having high cholesterol
  • Having high blood pressure
  • Having close relatives who have cardiovascular disease”.10

Prevention

How can atherosclerosis be prevented?

In Atherosclerosis: How Can I Prevent Atherosclerosis? according to the Cleveland Clinic:

Atherosclerosis“You may not be able to prevent atherosclerosis. But you can reduce your risk and lessen the effects of the disease. Here are some steps you can take:

  • Eat foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium (salt) and sugar
  • Exercise regularly. Start with short walks and build up to 30 minutes a day most days of the week
  • Keep a weight that’s healthy for you. Ask your provider what that should be
  • Manage any health conditions, especially diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
  • Don’t use tobacco products
  • Have a yearly checkup with a healthcare provider”.11

Health Care Provider

What if I think I have atherosclerosis?

In Arteriosclerosis / Atherosclerosis: Symptoms & Causes – Overview: Symptoms – When To See A Doctor the Mayo Clinic explain:

“If you think you have atherosclerosis, talk to your health care provider. Also pay attention to early symptoms caused by a lack of blood flow, such as chest pain (angina), leg pain or numbness.

Early diagnosis and treatment can stop atherosclerosis from worsening and prevent a heart attack, stroke or another medical emergency”.12

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Atherosclerosis

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Links

Where may I find Links related to Atherosclerosis?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Atherosclerosis. Page Last Updated: September 2022. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/conditions/atherosclerosis Accessed: 08 December 2023
  2. Arteriosclerosis / Atherosclerosis: Overview. 01 July 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350569 Accessed: 08 December 2023
  3. What Is Atherosclerosis? Confused About Terms? Last Updated: 24 March 2022. What Is. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/atherosclerosis Accessed: 08 December 2023
  4. Arteriosclerosis / Atherosclerosis: Overview. 01 July 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350569 Accessed: 08 December 2023
  5. Atherosclerosis. What Is. Last Updated: 24 March 2022. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/atherosclerosis Accessed: 08 December 2023
  6. Atherosclerosis. Page Last Updated: September 2022. British Heart Foundation https://www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/conditions/atherosclerosis Accessed: 08 December 2023
  7. What Is Atherosclerosis? How It Starts and How It Progresses. Last Reviewed: 06 November 2020. American Heart Association https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/about-cholesterol/atherosclerosis Accessed: 08 December 2023
  8. Atherosclerosis. Last Updated: 24 March 2022. What Is. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/atherosclerosis Accessed: 08 December 2023
  9. Atherosclerosis. Last Reviewed: 06 March 2023. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16753-atherosclerosis-arterial-disease Accessed: 08 December 2023
  10. Atherosclerosis: Things You can Do To Help With Atherosclerosis. Page Last Reviewed: 30 January 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/atherosclerosis/ Accessed: 08 December 2023
  11. Atherosclerosis. Last Reviewed: 06 March 2023. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16753-atherosclerosis-arterial-disease Accessed: 08 December 2023
  12. Arteriosclerosis / Atherosclerosis: Symptoms & Causes – Overview: Symptoms – When To See A Doctor. 01 July 2022. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350569 Accessed: 08 December 2023
Topic Last Updated: 08 December 2023 – Topic Last Reviewed: 08 December 2023

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