Understanding Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition resulting from changes in the arterial wall, leading to the thickening of the inner layer of arteries over time, with fats accumulating between them, which eventually causes arterial occlusion. This is a cause of blood supply deficiency to various organs.

The Risk of Developing Atherosclerosis

High-risk individuals for developing atherosclerosis include men aged over 40 andwomen aged over 55 who have…

• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Smoking
• Stress
• Obesity
• Lack of consistent exercise
• A family history of vascular diseases

Symptoms of Atherosclerosis

The symptoms of atherosclerosis depend on the severity of the occlusion and which blood vessels are affected.

• If it occurs in the coronary arteries, it can lead to ischemic heart disease, with symptoms such as chest pain during exercise, or even sudden cardiac death.
• If it occurs in the cerebral arteries, it can lead to insufficient blood supply to the brain, possibly causing weakness in limbs, unsteady gait, dizziness, double vision, or stroke.
• If it occurs in arteries supplying the kidneys, it can lead to chronic kidney failure.
• If it occurs in arteries supplying the limbs, it can cause calf pain when walking long distances. In severe cases, it may lead to the need for amputation of toes or legs due to lack of blood supply.

“Becoming Aware Early” Blood Pressure Measurement

Early detection, diagnosis, and blood pressure measurement can help identify individuals at risk of developing conditions such as ischemic heart disease, sudden cardiac death, stroke, or gangrene. Measuring blood pressure helps prevent and reduce the risk of these diseases in the future.

Preliminary Diagnosis

ABI (Ankle – Brachial Index) measures blood pressure in both arms and legs, comparing the blood pressure of the leg with that of the arm, resulting in an Index. A normal index ranges between 0.9 – 1.3. If the blood pressure of the leg is lower than that of the arm, or the Index is below 0.9, it indicates arterial occlusion in the legs, regardless of symptoms. These individuals have a higher risk of developing heart and cerebral vascular diseases, thus it’s necessary to take preventive measures against these diseases and avoid conditions that can cause disability.

Early detection and blood pressure measurements can be conducted on individuals with risk factors for vascular diseases, such as

• Older age
• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Symptoms suggestive of vascular occlusion, e.g., leg pain when walking, chest pain, etc.
• Detected abnormalities in the legs, such as chronic ulcers, to prevent potential life-threatening conditions in the future

For the diagnosis of atherosclerosis or specific organ vascular disease, healthcare providers will refer for further examinations and subsequent treatment, such as

• CT Angiography of various vessels
• MRA
• Coronary Angiography
• Carotid and Cerebral Angiography
• Renal Angiography
• Peripheral Angiography 
• Etc.