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Atherosclerotic Peripheral Vascular Disease
Atherosclerotic vascular disease refers to the narrowing and hardening of the arteries in the body. This process occurs naturally, to some degree, through aging. Other influential factors have been identified, some of which, can be controlled through lifestyle. Acceleration of atherosclerosis is seen in those
with diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, smoking history, and in people with a family history for stroke or heart attack. It is thought that obesity and a sedentary lifestyle may also be contributing factors in accelerating atherosclerotic vascular disease.
ATHEROSCLEROSIS LEADS TO THESE DISEASE COMPLICATIONS
1. HEART ATTACK (CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE)
2. STROKE (vessel narrowing in the carotid arteries)
3. PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE (narrowing of blood vessels to the lower extremities)
4. HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE (promotes generalized atherosclerosis)
5. KIDNEY DISEASE (vessel disease within the kidneys)
6. ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM
7. ISCHEMIC BOWEL DISEASE
TIPS TO LESSEN THE PROGRESSION OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS
1. STOP SMOKING
2. CONTROL DIABETES
3. CONTROL HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
4. DIET AND WEIGHT CONTROL (by eating a diet low in fats and cholesterol) See the weight charts in the user manual.
5. EXERCISE (under the supervision of your physician)
6. AVOID STRESS (stress management)
See your physician for assistance and regular check-ups to control this potentially serious health problem.
Hope that this article will provide you information about atherosclerotic vascular disease.
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