Arteriosclerosis is the 'hardening of the arteries'. It is the most common problem for Doctors and patients in the western world.

As the arteries become narrower, the organs receive a reduced blood supply and they do not function well. It is therefore associated with:

• Strokes
• Heart attacks
• Angina (not enough blood for the heart on exercise)
• Kidney failure
• Alzheimer's Disease

Symptoms

This is the big problem! A person can be happily going along until an artery suddenly becomes so narrow that little or no blood passes through. When it happens the person suffers a problem depending on where the artery has blocked. In the brain it can lead to a stroke, in the heart to a heart attack, in the legs to poor circulation and in the intestines to acute abdominal pain. It is therefore quiet, no problems, until BANG!! something happens!

Causes

Arteries are the blood vessels taking the blood away from the heart to feed all our organs and muscles. The arteries are usually very elastic to allow the blood to flow freely after each heart contraction. The blood surges around our body in a wave - a pulse. The arteries need to be able to expand easily.

As we get older the arteries lose their elasticity, become more rigid and the hole in the centre of the artery becomes smaller due hard deposits. Similar to a furred kettle.

Prevention

• STOP SMOKING!
• Take more exercise
• Make sure you are of average weight
• Have your blood pressure checked regularly and if it raised treated
• Reduce the amount of fat you eat
• If you are at risk - have your cholesterol checked. The average cholesterol in Britain is about 6.25. It should be 5.2 or lower in the average person and below 4.6 in patients with known arterial problems!

Recommended web sites

Arteriosclerosis

Atheroma (Arteriosclerosis)