Atherosclerosis
By: Angel Cochran
What exactly is Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease that may start in childhood. In some people the disease progresses rapidly in their 30s. In others it doesn't become dangerous until they reach their 50s or 60s. However, it is normal to have some hardening of the arteries as you get older. Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Plaque is made of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood).
What causes atherosclerosis? How can this be prevented?
According to experts, atherosclerosis begins with damage to the endothelium caused by high blood pressure, smoking, or high cholesterol. That damage leads to the formation of plaque. When bad cholesterol, or LDL, crosses the damaged endothelium, the cholesterol enters the wall of the artery. There are 5 ways to prevent yourself from getting this.
1). eat a healthy diet. 2). stop smoking (if you smoke) 3.) lose weight ( if you are overweight) 4). take in a regular exercise 5).moderate your composition of alcohol
Is this genetic?
Atherosclerosis is a complex multifocal arterial disease involving interactions of multiple genetic and environmental factors.Advances in techniques of molecular genetics have revealed that genetic ground significantly influences susceptibility to atherosclerotic vascular diseases. Besides further investigations of monogenetic diseases, candidate genes, genetic polymorphisms, and susceptibility loci associated with atherosclerotic diseases have been identified in recent years, and their number is rapidly increasing.
The heart and stroke foundation
The Heart and Stroke Foundation is a volunteer-based health charity active in communities across the country. We are sustained by the commitment and generosity of more than 125,000 volunteers and more than 1.4 million donors.
Website: http://www.heartandstroke.com/site/c.ikIQLcMWJtE/b.3484059/k.2FED/Heart_disease__Atherosclerosis.htm