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I. Definition: Arteriosclerosis,
also known as “hardening of the arteries,” is a vascular condition that can
occur in all arteries of the body. It is
characterized by a gradual thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity in the walls of
the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a form of
arteriosclerosis in which the inner-most layer of the artery is affected. The hardening is due to a build-up on the walls of
the arteries, making it difficult for blood to pass through. Complete blockage can lead to a heart attack or
stroke. Since the arteries in the feet are
the smallest and farthest away from the heart, they are often the first to be affected by
vascular conditions like arteriosclerosis. Early
symptoms include:
- Pain
in the feet or legs (usually during periods of exercise).
- Sores
on the foot or toes.
- Lack
of a pulse in the affected area.
- Purple
color or redness.
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II. Cause:
As
blood passes through the arteries, material containing calcium, cholesterol, and scar
tissue builds up on the arterial walls – much like rust and minerals build up on the
inside of a water pipe. Eventually, the
passageway can become so narrowed that the oxygen-rich blood cannot pass through. A blood clot can form which can completely block
blood from flowing through, thereby preventing areas of the body from receiving oxygen. While mild arteriosclerosis is a natural
part of the aging process, a number of risk factors are associated with extreme cases:
- Family
history of vascular disease
- High
levels of blood cholesterol
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Obesity
III. Treatment and Prevention: The
main steps of preventing and improving arteriosclerosis involve reducing the risk factors
listed above. Maintain a healthy lifestyle by
exercising regularly, practicing a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight level,
keeping close eye on your cholesterol level, and not smoking. In extreme cases, surgical techniques may be used
to clear out, replace, or bypass a blocked artery. While
these treatments result in a high degree of success, reoccurrence in either the same or
different area is common. To avoid
reoccurrence, it is important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
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