Atherosclerosis Overview and Causes

Study Notes

Atherosclerosis is a condition where fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances (plaques) build up on the inner walls of arteries.
Over time, this buildup leads to narrowing, stiffness, and reduced flexibility of the arteries.
This process impairs blood flow to vital organs and tissues, causing cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Atherosclerosis, or TG-LDL-VLDL-TC accumulation, narrows arteries, reducing blood flow to organs.
Poor organ vitality and function result.
Complete artery blockage can cause organ death (e.g., heart muscle death due to a blocked coronary artery).
Weakness in artery walls can lead to rupture and potentially life-threatening bleeding (e.g., stroke).
Buildup of fat on artery walls can cause plaque fragments to detach and travel, potentially blocking other arteries.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include unhealthy diet (high in saturated and trans fats, sugar), smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, increased body fat and cholesterol (LDL-TG-TC), and reduced HDL, lack of exercise, genetics, and age.
Other factors like hyperuricemia (oxidative stress and vascular inflammation), fetal nutritional deficiencies, and exposure to pollutants increase the risk of atherosclerosis.

Chest pain (angina): Pain that can spread to the arms, particularly the left arm, resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Angina can be stable (pain is present only with exertion) or unstable (pain occurs even at rest or with minimal exertion).
Heart attack (myocardial infarction): A complete blockage of a coronary artery, resulting in damage to the heart muscle and potentially life-threatening symptoms (severe chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, sweating).
Leg pain (intermittent claudication): Pain in the legs during walking due to reduced blood flow to the leg muscles. It often subsides when the person rests. In later stages, the pain may persist even while resting.
Symptoms vary depending on the affected artery (e.g., stroke symptoms like sudden weakness, numbness, or difficulty speaking).

Measuring cholesterol levels (LDL-c < 100, TC < 200 mg/dL, TG < 150 mg/dl, HDL > 60).
Assessing kidney and liver function.
Ensuring the absence of diabetes.
CT scans (computerized tomography), using colored X-rays, to view arteries.
Detecting heart enzymes (troponins, creatine kinase-MB, myoglobin, lactate dehydrogenase, B-type natriuretic peptide) to identify potential heart damage.

Quitting smoking and controlling weight.
Reducing high-fat and high-cholesterol food intake.
Regular exercise.
Controlling diabetes and high blood pressure.
Treating hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).
Medications to prevent clots and increase blood fluidity.
Omega-3 fatty acids to improve blood fluidity.
Maintaining a heart-healthy diet (low in saturated fats and cholesterol, rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains).

Foods to reduce atherosclerosis: Pomegranate, olive oil, herbs (marjoram, curry, ginger, onions, fennel, thyme, flaxseeds, garlic, coriander, caraway, parsley), aspirin, water (reducing fibrinogen). Legumes, fruits (berries, red grapes, cherries, plums, hibiscus, watermelon, strawberries, tomatoes, red peppers, peaches, green/white tea, licorice, broccoli), vitamin C, E, Vitamin A, Selenium.
Foods to limit or avoid saturated and trans fats, red meats and processed meats, fried foods, baked goods made with hydrogenated oils, high-fat dairy products, high-fat fish, egg yolk, full-fat dairy products, butter and hydrogenated oils, high refined carbohydrates and sugars (sugary drinks, candies, and baked goods).

Protein: 10-15% of daily calories.
Fats: 25-30% of daily calories (vegetable oils, unsaturated fats). Limit saturated fats (≤10%), raise monounsaturated (10-15%), and polyunsaturated fats (<10%).
Carbohydrates: 55% of daily calories
Cholesterol: 200 mg/day.

Cholesterol serves crucial functions in the body: producing bile acids, synthesizing vitamin D, precursor for steroid hormones, and structural component of cell membranes.