Phytonutrition and the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease- Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis- Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are two prominent diseases of the circulatory system. These conditions are frequently observed together and often lead to many other heart problems. Arteriosclerosis is the progressive hardening and thickening of the arteries. Tough fibrous tissues replace the elastic tissues of the arteries and cause them to stiffen and become rigid. In time calcium deposits can build up in the artery walls, making them inflexible, almost like a bony tube. Atherosclerosis is slightly different. Atherosclerosis is the progressive narrowing of the arteries. Fatty plaques accumulate inside blood vessels. Though we do not yet know how atherosclerosis initiates, we do understand many different problems associated with it. Cholesterols from LDLs, the bad kind of cholesterol, begin to accumulate on the inside of blood vessel walls. This process is aided by free radicals. Free radicals in the blood can oxidize LDLs and make them stickier than normal LDLs. Oxidized LDLs build up along the blood vessel walls speeding up the progression of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is often accompanied by arteriosclerosis. Thus the arteries usually become rigid with fibrous tissue and calcium deposits as fatty plaques grow. The deposition of cholesterol and the great increase in the number of cells in the area of the plaque causes a rough bulge to form on the inside of the blood vessel. This can cause three major problems. First, the increased pressure associated with such bulging can cause brittle arteries to burst, leading to internal bleeding and massive hemorrhages. Second, the bulge can completely block blood flow within the vessel. Third, the rough surface of the plaque can initiate the formation of a blood clot. Blood clots can also block the normal flow of blood. A stationary blood clot is known as a thrombus, while a moving blood clot is called an embolus. Both kinds are extremely dangerous. When atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis occur in blood vessels carrying blood to the heart, the condition is called coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease is the most significant indicator of heart attack risk. Because the blood vessels are already partially blocked by atherosclerotic plaques, it is much easier for them to be completely closed by tiny blood clots. The blockage of blood flow in the coronary arteries results in a heart attack. Atherosclerosis is caused by several related factors. Principle among them is high LDL and low HDL levels in the blood. Stress, genetics, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, and insufficient exercise contribute significantly to atherosclerosis. ( to be continued )
Posted on: Wed, 07 Aug 2013 21:02:03 +0000
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