What Causes Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is also known as an arteriosclerotic vascular disease, it is a condition were the arteries in the heart become hard, narrow and thick because of the buildup of cholesterol and plaque. Plaque is made of sticky material that is formed when cholesterol is combined with fat, calcium and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood) around the artery walls. Arteries have an endothelium, it is a thin layer which maintains the artery smooth and allows the blood to flow easily, Atherosclerosis also happens when the endothelium gets damaged.

There are many causes of atherosclerosis such as: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, smoking, obesity, diabetes and inflammation from certain diseases. High blood pressure adds extra pressure and force to the artery walls, with time the extra pressure can damage arteries and will make the possibility for the arteries to fill up with plaque higher. The buildup of cholesterol is one of the main causes of Atherosclerosis. Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood vessels, when there is a large amount of them and buildup in blood vessels they can block the blood flow and cause the arteriosclerotic vascular disease.
The symptoms depend on the type of artery being affected, when the carotid arteries (provide blood to the brain) are getting affected the symptoms are: weakness, difficulty in breathing, headache, numbness in the face and paralysis (a loss of muscle function in part of the body). When coronary arteries (provide blood to the heart) get affected the symptoms are: vomiting, anxiety, chest pain, coughing and feeling to faint. The symptoms for atherosclerosis when the renal arteries (provide blood to the kidneys) get affected are: loss of appetite, swelling hands and feet and difficulties in