Arterial blockage, or atherosclerosis, is the gradual buildup of plaque on the walls of arteries. This plaque, also known as fatty deposits, consists of deposits of cholesterol, fats, calcium, cellular waste products, and fibrin. As the plaque accumulates, it causes the blood vessels to thicken and harden.
When this condition occurs, the channels inside the arteries become narrowed. This leads to reduced blood flow, resulting in insufficient oxygen reaching all organs or tissues. Furthermore, the plaque can also rupture and be carried by the bloodstream, causing blood clots to form and adhere to the inner walls of the blood vessels.
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Blockage of blood vessels occurs due to plaque buildup
Complications:
Arterial blockages typically do not show symptoms until the arteries narrow, but they often cause discomfort in the chest. Therefore, many people do not feel anything until they experience a medical emergency. Generally, this occurs when the blockage has reached more than 70%. Plaque can block blood flow to the heart, brain, pelvis, legs, arms, or kidneys.
This can lead to several complications, such as:
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Heart attack
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Stroke
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Coronary artery disease
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Carotid artery disease
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Peripheral artery disease
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Chronic kidney disease
Causes of Arterial Blockage:
The reasons for atherosclerosis are not fully understood, but many experts believe it begins with damage to the inner layer of the arteries (endothelium). This damage progresses slowly over the years and worsens with age, possibly caused by:
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High cholesterol and triglyceride levels
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High blood pressure
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Smoking
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Diabetes
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Consumption of fatty, sugary, and salty foods
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Smoking increases the risk of atherosclerosis
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Smoking increases the risk of atherosclerosis
Diagnosis:
To assess the extent of arterial blockage, doctors usually conduct a thorough physical examination, including listening to the heart and blood flow through a stethoscope. Then, an evaluation of medical and family history, lifestyle including smoking habits and dietary patterns, and blood tests to check cholesterol levels are performed.
In addition, additional tests may be necessary, such as:
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Angiography (X-rays to detect and measure plaque buildup)
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Ankle/brachial index (comparing blood pressure in the ankle with the arm)
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Chest X-ray (imaging of the inside of the chest)
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CT scan (imaging of the inside of the body to look for arterial narrowing)
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Echocardiogram (imaging of heart valves and chambers to measure how well the heart pumps)
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Electrocardiogram (measuring the heart's electrical activity, speed, and rhythm)
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Stress test (measuring heart function through physical activity)
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Carotid ultrasound (imaging of the neck arteries)
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Abdominal ultrasound (imaging of the abdominal aorta)
Treatment:
Treatment for arterial blockage includes one or more of the following: medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery. The goal of treatment is to alleviate symptoms, reduce the risk of blood clots, slow plaque buildup, widen arteries, prevent complications, and develop a healthier lifestyle.
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Medications: statins as cholesterol-lowering agents, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors as blood pressure-lowering agents, and aspirin as antiplatelet agents.
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Lifestyle changes: quitting smoking (tobacco and vaping), increasing consumption of grains, fruits, and vegetables, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and managing stress.
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Surgery: heart stent placement, bypass surgery, thrombolytic therapy, angioplasty, and atherectomy.
So, arterial blockage occurs due to the gradual buildup of plaque on the walls of arteries. A person typically does not realize this condition until plaque accumulation has reached 70% and caused a medical emergency, such as a heart attack. Contributing factors include high cholesterol, hypertension, smoking habits, and diets high in fats, salt, and oils.
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