One of the most common problems to affect the circulatory system is atherosclerosis or “hardening of the arteries.” Atherosclerosis is the buildup of cholesterol and calcium deposits (called plaques) inside the lining of the arteries. As plaques grow, the arteries become narrow. As a result, less blood is able to flow through the arteries, and less oxygen reaches the tissues that are supplied by those arteries.
Atherosclerosis is the buildup of waxy deposits called plaques inside the arteries.
Atherosclerosis is the starting point for most heart and circulation problems:
- When atherosclerosis affects the arter¬ies that supply blood to the heart muscle, it is called coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD may cause chest pain (angina), heart attack, heart fail¬ure, or other heart conditions.
- When atherosclerosis affects the arteries in the legs or other areas, it causes a circulation problem called peripheral vascular disease (PVD).
- When atherosclerosis affects blood vessels that supply the brain, it may cause transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) or strokes. Reduced blood flow to the brain caused by atherosclerosis can also cause multiinfarct dementia.
- When atherosclerosis affects the arteries that supply blood to the abdomen and pelvis, kidney or intestinal problems may result.
Other types of circulatory problems include high blood pressure, blood clots or inflammation in the veins (phlebitis), irregular heartbeats, and varicose veins. These problems may be related to athero¬sclerosis, but in some cases they are not.
Incoming search terms:
- Atherosclerosis in old age
- atherosclerosis old age
- how is atherosclerosis affected by old age
- artherioscherosis common
- cause of atherosclerosis in old age
- how does old age cause atherosclerosis?
- most common health problems in old age
- old age and arteriosclerosis
- pathophysiology of artherosclerosis in old age
There are no posts related to Atherosclerosis: One of the most common problems in old age.
