Plaques in the pulmonary artery. Aortosclerosis of the lungs: symptoms, timely diagnosis and methods of effective treatment

Human lungs occupy 4/5 of the chest and perform the function of breathing by gas exchange between the air in the alveoli and the blood of the pulmonary arteries. Diffuse atherosclerosis of the lung is a chronic disease that often accompanies diseases of the cardiovascular system that cause high blood pressure in the lungs. Damage to the walls of the arteries leads to difficulty in getting air from the alveoli into the capillaries surrounding them. Cholesterol is deposited inside the highways, plaques are formed that disrupt blood flow, which leads to insufficient oxygenation of tissues, stagnant conditions and the appearance of painful symptoms.

Causes

A common factor in primary diffuse atherosclerosis is Ayers syndrome - arterial sclerosis, characterized by a constant increase in the pressure of the pulmonary circulation in the medium and large branches of the vessel. Due to a lack of oxygen in the tissues and an increase in hemoglobin, the patient has a sharp diffuse cyanosis - the skin darkens, becomes cyanotic.

Risk factors for diffuse atherosclerosis:

genetic disorders of the walls of the arteries;
endothelial dysfunction;
an excessive percentage of cholesterol in the blood;
persistent increase in pressure in the pulmonary vessels and capillaries;
hypertension;
weak immunity;
hormonal disorders;
diabetes;
unhealthy diet with high fat intake;
damage to arterial tissue by viruses, such as herpes;
metabolic disease;
severe stressful conditions and a constantly high level of adrenaline in the blood.

Diffuse atherosclerosis can accompany a number of diseases. Mitral stenosis causes a decrease in the orifice of the same name in the heart, which prevents blood from passing freely from the left atrium to the ventricle and leads to an increase in pressure. Most often, this disease develops against the background of rheumatic fever.

In chronic lung diseases, such as bronchial asthma, emphysema of the lung can develop - a pathological change in tissues leading to a loss of elasticity, the ability to fill and fall, which leads to air overflow and impaired ventilation of the organ, as well as damage to the walls of the alveoli and blood vessels.

Pulmonary fibrosis causes scarring, an irreversible replacement of lung tissue with connective tissue that is unable to stretch and support gas exchange. This leads to cyanosis, lack of oxygen in the arteries and increased pressure.

There may be a cough with blood, complaints of pain in the heart, swelling of the legs, enlarged jugular veins. But these signs can also be symptoms of other pulmonary ailments, not just diffuse atherosclerosis.

Diagnostics

The patient is interviewed and the medical history is studied. They listen to the heart for the presence of systolic (sometimes diastolic) noise, check the eyes for the presence of an atherosclerotic ring on the iris, and also examine the patient's body to detect signs of cyanosis on the skin, measure lung volume (spirography).

A patient diagnosed with atherosclerosis of the lungs of a diffuse nature is prescribed a diet with a sufficient amount of proteins and a reduced content of animal fats, as well as salt and sugar. Lean fish, dairy products, vegetables and fruits, olive oil will be useful. A balanced diet will help you lose weight, lower your blood cholesterol, and improve your metabolism.

Also, patients with diffuse atherosclerosis of the lungs, depending on the stage of the disease, are shown moderate physical activity, gymnastics, and a special massage is prescribed.

Of the drug treatment, first of all, lipid-lowering drugs are prescribed - they stabilize lipid metabolism in the body, interfere with the absorption of cholesterol and reduce its level in the blood.

The drugs belonging to the group of statins (rosuvastatin, lovastatin) are recognized as the most effective, their action is based on blocking the work of the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. Statins in a short time improve the condition of damaged vessel walls, restore the proper functioning of the endothelium, lower blood viscosity and have anti-inflammatory properties, thereby reducing the possibility of blood clots.

Statins are also indicated for diseases of the cardiovascular system, help recovery from stroke and myocardial infarction (and reduce the risk of their development).

Preparations of the fibrate group - derivatives of fibric acid (ciprofibrate, fenofibrate, bezafibrate), control the synthesis of cholesterol carrier proteins in the liver, lowering the level of low-density lipoproteins in the bloodstream, and slow down the development of diffuse atherosclerosis. Fibrates stabilize glucose metabolism, they must be prescribed in the presence of diabetes mellitus among concomitant ailments. Contraindications for use are liver diseases.

Cardiologist

Higher education:

Cardiologist

Kuban State Medical University (KubGMU, KubGMA, KubGMI)

Level of education - Specialist

Additional education:

"Cardiology", "Course on magnetic resonance imaging of the cardiovascular system"

Research Institute of Cardiology. A.L. Myasnikov

"Course on functional diagnostics"

NTSSSH them. A. N. Bakuleva

"Clinical Pharmacology Course"

Russian Medical Academy of Postgraduate Education

"Emergency Cardiology"

Cantonal Hospital of Geneva, Geneva (Switzerland)

"Course in Therapy"

Russian State Medical Institute of Roszdrav

Diffuse atherosclerosis is a serious disease of the cardiovascular system. It is accompanied by extensive scarring of myocardial tissue. The consequences of this disease are very severe. The heart begins to work poorly, the valves are deformed. The main problem of atherosclerosis of this type is late diagnosis. In the early stages of development, the disease practically does not manifest itself. Patients feel a slight malaise, which cannot be the reason for a full-scale examination.

General information about the disease

Diffuse atherosclerosis is considered the most dangerous type of this disease. Cardiomyocytes are replaced by connective type cells. It all starts with small foci, and the provoking factor in the development of the disease is prolonged coronary insufficiency. Violations that cause atherosclerosis lead to a decrease or complete cessation of blood flow in some areas of the myocardium. Muscle cells begin to die, and connective tissue appears in their place, i.e. scarring.

If we are talking about a disease of a diffuse type, then the patient's condition worsens gradually. The number of necrotic foci is increasing every day. Metabolism is disturbed, some areas of the myocardium completely atrophy. The structure of muscle fibers becomes abnormal. Approximately 60% of patients suffering from this type of atherosclerosis find an aneurysm. The presence of a pathological formation greatly complicates the process of treating a patient, because. not all doctors are able to perform a surgical operation to remove it.

In a small number of patients (less than 3%), the disease does not manifest itself at all until the end of life. This happens due to the absence of any other pathologies that enhance the effect of atherosclerotic plaques on the body and myocardium. Such patients do not need specific treatment. In other cases, in the absence of therapy, patients risk dying from cardiac arrest or aneurysm rupture (if present).

Causes of diffuse atherosclerosis

The main factor provoking the development of this disease is atherosclerotic lesions of the coronary arteries. Also at risk are patients suffering from coronary heart disease. One of the problems with the treatment of such diseases is that patients seek help too late, when changes in the body can no longer be reversed. In addition to these ailments, the following factors influence the development of the disease:

rheumatism;
bad habits (tendency to drink large amounts of alcohol, smoking, etc.);
the presence of excess weight;
age-related changes in the body;
heart muscle injury;
diabetes;
unfavorable working conditions;
frequent stress;
congenital anomalies in the development of blood vessels;
hypertonic disease;
congenital and acquired heart pathologies.

It is believed that after a certain age, the development of atherosclerosis is inevitable, and this is partly true. With age, the hormonal background changes, bad cholesterol breaks down more slowly, which leads to the formation of plaques on the surface of blood vessels. According to statistics, most often this disease affects male patients over 40 years old.

In patients, common features can be traced in the form of the presence of excess body weight, lack of physical activity and excessive psychological overstrain. Some patients harm themselves with self-medication. Uncontrolled intake of medicines is very harmful to the body. Without a doctor's prescription, you should not take drugs that affect the state of blood vessels, the production of hepatic and gastric enzymes.

How does the disease manifest itself?

This type of atherosclerosis is characterized by a gradual increase in symptoms. In the early stages of the disease, a person feels well. He continues to go about his business and does not experience any discomfort during physical exertion. But even then, an experienced doctor may notice signs of arrhythmia and problems with the conduction of electrical impulses. When myocardial damage becomes larger, the patient will experience the following symptoms:

Breathlessness. Even minor physical activity (climbing stairs, brisk walking for short distances) will trigger bouts of shortness of breath.
Muscle weakness. The degree of manifestation of this symptom directly depends on how much the myocardium has undergone pathological changes. With small necrotic lesions, the patient will notice a slight decrease in endurance, but then the weakness will increase, because. impaired blood flow in the muscles.
Puffiness. Circulatory disorders caused by atherosclerosis cause fluid to accumulate in the legs. By morning, the swelling is completely gone. In the last stages, trophic ulcers may appear.
Pain in the right side or region of the heart. The reasons for the manifestation of this symptom also lie in circulatory disorders and pathological changes in muscle tissues. Blood in the systemic circulation begins to move very slowly, so pain can be transmitted to the right side or limbs. As for unpleasant sensations in the heart, various rhythm disturbances manifest themselves in this way.

With severe damage to the organ, the patient begins to lose consciousness. All signs of the disease appear in 10% of patients with a serious violation of coronary blood flow. The rest of the people suffer from the manifestation of 1-2 symptoms. You should go to the doctor immediately after you notice an arrhythmia or feel pain in your heart. They can not only signal that you have atherosclerosis, but also about serious chronic diseases.

Effective diagnostic methods: ECG, ultrasound, MRI

Diffuse type atherosclerosis can be detected in a patient with a comprehensive examination. Traditional at the first stage is the examination of the patient and the collection of information about his condition. The doctor must find out when the symptoms of the disease appeared, whether the patient has bad habits, whether he has people in his family who suffered from pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Then the patient is given a referral for the following types of diagnostics:

General and biochemical blood tests. All patients are required to attend. The study of blood will allow you to determine the ratio of "bad" and "good" cholesterol, to reveal hidden inflammatory processes.
ECG. It is also included in the set of mandatory procedures. Allows you to identify violations of the heart rhythm and problems in the work of the myocardium. But for the structural study of muscle tissue, this technique is not suitable.
ultrasound. It is carried out in order to assess the physical condition of the heart. The doctor will be able to find areas affected by atherosclerosis.
MRI. It is an excellent alternative to ultrasound. In addition to areas of pathological density, this diagnostic method can detect abnormalities in the structure of blood vessels and hidden tumors.

The attending physician or the doctor conducting hardware diagnostics should deal with the interpretation of the test results. Based on the results of ultrasound and MRI, a course of treatment will be developed.

How is diffuse atherosclerosis treated?

There are 2 approaches to the treatment of this disease: conservative and surgical. There are indications for every treatment. Conservative therapy involves the use of specialized drugs that normalize the nutrition of the myocardium, reduce the level of "bad" cholesterol in the blood and help normalize the heart rate. Patients are prescribed the following groups of medicines:

Nitrates. Needed in order to reduce myocardial oxygen demand. Muscle tension is also removed, but the blood flow in the collaterals increases.
Beta blockers. They are needed in order to relieve excessive stress from the heart and allow a person to play sports. The disadvantage of such drugs is a decrease in heart rate, which is undesirable with bradycardia. Also, some patients complain of decreased vision.
calcium antagonists. They are used quite rarely, because. impede the passage of electrical impulses. Reduce the number of heartbeats and blood pressure.
Statins. They are one of the means of correcting the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood. They are taken according to a scheme specially designed for a particular patient.

Do not forget about symptomatic treatment. If patients experience unbearable pain, then they are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. With severe edema, diuretics are used. Against the background of taking medications, nutrition correction helps to get rid of cholesterol. The patient should give up sweets, fatty and very salty foods. You have to follow a special diet. It is advisable to replace meat with fish.

Physical exercise has a good effect on the state of blood vessels and the body. They should be selected by a special instructor, depending on the condition of the muscles of a particular patient. You should not try to perform high-intensity exercises without the permission of the trainer, because. in this way you will only harm the body more.

Surgical intervention

If taking medications and correcting the lifestyle did not give a result in the treatment of the disease, then the patient is recommended to agree to the operation. The goal of surgery is to normalize blood flow and eliminate areas of ischemia. To do this, doctors can:

install a pacemaker
carry out shunting;
perform vascular stenting.

Separately, it is worth considering the treatment of aneurysms in diffuse atherosclerosis. The operation is mandatory. The damaged vessel or part of it is eliminated, and a prosthesis made of a special medical polymer or a piece of the vessel taken from another part of the body is inserted in its place.

Disease prevention

To prevent the development of heart disease, including atherosclerosis, it is necessary to engage in physical education. All exercises should be moderate, i.e. overexertion of muscles and other organs with a tendency to deposit cholesterol will be dangerous. It is necessary to give up bad habits or minimize their impact on the body. Also recommended:

follow a diet;
monitor body weight and percentage of muscle to fat;
try to avoid stressful situations;
consult a doctor at the first sign of any diseases of the cardiovascular system.

People who are at risk due to high levels of "bad" cholesterol or liver problems should especially monitor their health. They should try to compensate for the shortcomings of their own genetics with a rational approach to life.

Forecast

A positive outcome of the disease is possible if the patient paid attention to its symptoms in time and decided to consult a doctor. The patient must be ready to follow the recommendations of the doctor and eliminate unnecessary habits. Without treatment, patients do not live long. If cardiac arrhythmias are added to diffuse type atherosclerosis, the risk of death increases to 93%.

The main reason why diffuse atherosclerosis of the lungs develops is the deposition of cholesterol compounds in the pulmonary artery. The narrowing of the lumen of the blood vessel causes an increase in pressure in the organ, oxygen starvation occurs. Lack of treatment can lead to serious consequences, including the death of the patient. Why does atherosclerosis of the lungs appear? Who is at risk for this disease? What are the main symptoms of the disease, and how to recognize it in the initial stages?

To date, doctors have formed that contribute to the development of cardiovascular pathology. These include:

genetic predisposition;
transferred infectious diseases;
hypertension of the pulmonary arteries;
diseases of the endocrine system;
malnutrition and stress;
hypertension;
elevated cholesterol.

In addition, diffuse atherosclerosis of the lungs can be caused by mitral stenosis. Due to frequent strong contractions of the mitral valve, the patient's blood supply worsens, and pressure in the lungs rises. Pathology also develops against the background of chronic bronchitis.

Representatives of the stronger sex are more susceptible to the pathology of the pulmonary arteries. Atherosclerosis in men is diagnosed 7–10 years earlier than in women.

Violation of gas exchange due to the growth of connective tissue in the blood vessels is another cause of the disease. Pulmonary fibrosis affects the transfer of oxygen from the alveoli to the capillaries, while the pressure in the organ increases. Also, diffuse atherosclerosis can occur due to emphysema, kyphoscoliosis, open ductus arteriosus.

It is rarely possible to prevent the development of the disease. However, patients can eliminate risk factors, completely change their lifestyle, closely monitor vital signs. This will help to recognize the disease in the early stages and begin appropriate treatment.

Symptoms and stages of the development of the disease

It is generally accepted that atherosclerosis of the lungs develops over five stages. Each stage is characterized by its own symptoms, which manifest themselves both externally and during instrumental examination. However, at all stages, patients note a number of main symptoms, including:

breathing problems, such as snoring and wheezing;

swelling of the extremities and a change in the shade of the skin;

headaches, weakness, dizziness;

pain in the retrosternal space, angina pectoris and palpable pulsation between the ribs.

Atherosclerosis of the lungs is a narrowing or blockage of the lumen in the vessels of the pulmonary circulation, which provide nutrition and oxygen to the tissues of the respiratory system with high blood pressure. It is more common in men, the risk group is people over 45 years old.

Atherosclerosis of the vascular network of the lungs is not an independent disease, but a consequence of diseases that increase blood pressure:

heart disease: malformations, heart failure;
lung diseases: anomalies in the structure, obstructive disease, fibrosis, emphysema;
inflammatory processes of the inner layer of arteries and vessels;
obesity;
natural wear of the vascular network;
impaired lipid metabolism.

Pathologies lead to the formation of lipoprotein plaques in the vessels. The process of their formation is called atherogenesis and consists of the following stages:

Slight damage to the inner lining of the aorta at the junction with large arteries, the aortic valve. The cells expand, the vascular wall becomes loose, creating favorable conditions for the formation of plaques. At the initial stage, friability is eliminated by proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes synthesized by the body itself.
With the loss of enzyme activity, the condition of the walls at the junction with large arteries deteriorates.
The third stage of sclerosis of the vascular network of the respiratory organs is characterized by an increase in connective tissue at the junction of the aorta and large vessels, narrowing the diameter due to the formation of plaques and blood clots.
The destruction of the tissues of the inner layer of the vessel, the thrombus is detached, a hemorrhage occurs in the wall with the formation of ulcers, which develop into cancer - angiosarcoma, blood cancer.
Plaque damage to the pulmonary arteries and vessels, the last stage of atherosclerosis of the pulmonary aorta.

The stages of development of the disease occur sequentially over a long period. The body signals the disease.

Risk factors and symptoms of aortic atherosclerosis

Risk factors for the development of pulmonary artery sclerosis:

fragility of blood vessels;
high cholesterol in the blood;
overweight;
bad habits;
sedentary lifestyle;
diabetes;
hyper-hypothyroidism;
disease, Itsenko-Cushing's syndrome.

Factors are exacerbated for reasons: genetic predisposition, lifestyle, autoimmune dysfunction; viral, infectious diseases (herpes, cytomegalovirus, chlamydia, etc.), prolonged stressful conditions, hormonal imbalance associated with the transition of a person to the next age category.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lungs are manifested as follows:

Shortness of breath, weakness, dizziness can be the causes of many diseases or conditions that do not require a visit to the doctor, but indicate the need for lifestyle changes. The presence of three or more symptoms signals the need to visit a doctor. Diagnosis of the pathological condition begins with the collection of the patient's history, visual examination of the body, blood tests for cholesterol levels, prescribe OAM, X-ray using a contrast agent, duplex / triplex examination of the arteries, MRI / computed tomography. The appearance of an atherosclerotic ring on the iris indicates a pathology in the bloodstream system.

Principles of treatment and prevention

Treatment of atherosclerosis in the lungs is a process that depends on the patient and lifestyle.

The main condition for the cure of the patient and further prevention of the formation of atherosclerotic plaques are:

control of the patient's weight and its reduction in case of critical indicators;
balanced nutrition in terms of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, with sufficient fiber content, replacement of solid animal fats with liquid vegetable or fish oils;
rejection of bad habits;
control of cholesterol levels, with critical indicators, taking statins;
proper rest, sleep about 8 hours a day, avoidance of stressful situations;
maintaining blood pressure values within normal limits;
physical activity, walks in the fresh air.

When the doctor makes a diagnosis after conducting research, the patient is assigned:

hormonal correction;
blood thinners;
preparations for the removal of bile acids that control the production of their own cholesterol;
cholesterol-lowering drugs that block its absorption from food;
drugs that control lipid metabolism;
medicines that lower blood pressure;
vitamin complexes to maintain the walls of blood vessels in good shape;
treatment of concomitant diseases of the vessels of the heart and lungs.

The doctor, according to indications, directs the patient to narrow-profile specialists: a phlebologist, a nutritionist, a specialist in exercise therapy, an endocrinologist, etc. to treat concomitant disorders in the work of other organs.

Traditional medicine offers an alternative to drugs purchased at a pharmacy in the treatment and prevention of atherosclerotic plaques:

Lemon with honey and cinnamon: twist 5 medium lemons through a meat grinder, add 200 gr. liquid honey and 20 grams of cinnamon powder. The mixture is insisted for three days and taken twice a day on an empty stomach in the morning and evening.
Onion juice. Finely chop the onion, cover with sugar, let it brew for three days and strain the juice. Drink the resulting liquid three times a day on an empty stomach in a teaspoon.
Fuck root. Insist 2 tablespoons of grated horseradish root along with the peel for 100 ml of medical 70% alcohol, strain. Take half a teaspoon 2 rubles / day on an empty stomach.
Include in the diet flaxseed, garlic, olive, camelina oil, 3 tbsp. l. per day, fish oil in the dosage described in the annotation.
A mixture of olive oil, honey and lemon juice in equal proportions. Eat the resulting mixture of 1 tbsp. l. daily on an empty stomach or dissolve in a glass of water and drink in the morning before breakfast.
Potato juice. Squeeze in a juicer, drink half a glass on an empty stomach.
Grind garlic and lemon, mix, pour water and insist in a dark room for 4 days. Take 2 tablespoons daily on an empty stomach.
Garlic and sunflower oil. Garlic is crushed (10 heads per half liter of oil), poured with oil and infused for a week. After that, add the juice of one lemon to the oil and take 1 tablespoon after waking up for a month. The course consists of a 2-week treatment, followed by a 2-week pause, after which the drug continues according to the same scheme.

Pulmonary artery sclerosis is progressive, diffuse disorders worsen the quality of life, exacerbate comorbidities and, if not adequately treated, will lead to death.

Failure to comply with the doctor's recommendations for weight loss, lifestyle changes, giving up bad habits, even while taking medications, will not allow the patient to improve his condition and cure. Recipes of traditional medicine without drug treatment will not work. Therapy should be comprehensive.

Oxygen starvation of organs and tissues gradually leads to their death and deterioration of functioning, entails the emergence of new chronic pathologies. Plaques in the arteries, veins in a neglected state require surgical intervention and a long rehabilitation, do not neglect the prescribed drugs.

Life expectancy forecast

Fulfillment of the doctor's recommendation, the prognosis of cure, life expectancy is favorable. A healthy lifestyle, physical activity, a balanced diet with a predominance of thermally processed plant foods, normalization of weight exclude the progression of the disease.

Monitoring blood counts, taking prescribed medications will allow the patient to improve the quality of life, avoid complications, and increase the number of years lived.

Atherosclerosis includes:

Atherosclerosis does not include:

cerebral (we talked about the signs and symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels, and you will learn about the treatment of this disease);
coronary;
mesenteric;
pulmonary.

As a result of what diseases does it appear?

In some chronic diseases, the likelihood of developing this disease is significantly increased:

Diabetes- contributes to the violation of fat metabolism, and is the "start" button to the beginning of the development of atherosclerosis.
arterial hypertension- with increased pressure, pathological processes of increased impregnation of vessels with fatty deposits begin. All this leads to the formation of plaques.
Dyslipidemia- with an increased content of cholesterol and other substances in the body, fat metabolism is disturbed and atherosclerosis develops.
Various infections- toxic microorganisms damage the vascular walls, which in turn provokes atherosclerotic changes.

Kinds

The pressure in this disease

Atherosclerosis and hypertension - if atherosclerosis is a pathological change and damage to the walls of blood vessels, the accumulation of cholesterol deposits on them and the formation of plaques, then hypertension is an imperceptibly flowing disease characterized by periodic high blood pressure, which in turn can provoke strokes and heart attacks and thicken walls of blood vessels, smooth muscles of the heart.

If hypertension is a nervous disease, and atherosclerosis is metabolic, then both of them are still interconnected and one can enhance the progression of the other.

Atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension - the difference between hypertension and hypertension is that hypertension is a steady increase in blood pressure, hypertension is periodic, but both of these conditions, if they develop in parallel with atherosclerosis, lead to an acceleration of thickening of the walls of blood vessels, narrowing of the lumen, plaque formation and others destructive processes leading to strokes and infarctions.

Other types

mesenteric arteries- these arteries supply the entire intestine with blood, with atherosclerosis, the vessels become clogged, which can lead to ischemia. Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the mesenteric arteries are characterized by paroxysmal abdominal pain after eating, smoking or drinking alcohol. At first, the pain is short-lived, but with the development of the disease, attacks can reach 15 minutes.
Aorta of the lungs- this is a disease that develops very slowly, which at first does not manifest itself. With it, plaques form on the inner walls of the pulmonary artery, which interfere with the normal nutrition of tissues, and complicate the supply of oxygen.
This disease can be provoked by malnutrition, problems with the endocrine system, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, obesity, stress, various inflammatory processes, and diabetes mellitus. Left untreated, the disease can lead to pulmonary infarction and pleurisy.

Atherosclerosis of the lungs is divided into primary and secondary. Symptoms include discomfort during physical exertion, unnatural skin color, causeless cough, drowsiness.
renal arteries- a chronic disease, as a result of which the renal arteries are affected, and the development of arterial and vasorenal hypertension begins and a general malfunction of the entire urinary system occurs.
Thoracic aorta is one of the most common forms of atherosclerosis. The disease can affect both the entire aorta and its individual parts. The disease does not manifest itself for a long time, changes occur in the walls of the vessels, the connective tissue grows, the artery narrows, and plaques form that disrupt the blood supply to all organs and tissues of the body.
Abdominal aorta- with atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels in the body, a pathological change in the abdominal aorta and its arterial branches may begin. There is a narrowing and insufficient saturation of blood vessels.
Pain in the abdomen, a feeling of fullness, belching, nausea begin. Atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta is similar in its features to other diseases of the digestive tract, which makes its diagnosis and timely treatment difficult.

We talked in detail about all types of atherosclerosis of the aorta, and in this article you can familiarize yourself with the methods of treating the disease.
lower limbs- with pathological changes leading to narrowing of the walls of blood vessels, the formation of plaques, insufficient blood flow to the extremities, trophic processes are disturbed, which in turn can lead to the loss of their functions by the extremities, and further to gangrene and inflammation.

Pathogenesis

The development of atherosclerosis is affected by diabetes mellitus, uncontrolled use of tobacco and alcohol products, hypertension - all these factors have a significant impact on the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

But, perhaps, the main factor is the consumption of low-quality, high-calorie foods, which may contain dangerous fats, which subsequently break down into low-density lipoproteins that are deposited on the walls of blood vessels, leading to the formation of plaques.

As long as the content of lipoproteins in the patient's blood is low, the disease proceeds without any signs, but when changes in their composition begin, in which lipoproteins are oxidized, then vasoconstriction occurs and the supply of nutrients to organs and tissues deteriorates significantly, hence the signs appear ischemia.

The main symptoms of manifestation

hearts

One of the most receptive organs for blood supply is the heart.. When it is violated, angina pectoris begins to appear. Periodic symptoms also include:

Upper and lower limbs

Brain

Treatment

In especially advanced cases with clinically pronounced atherosclerosis, surgical intervention may be required.

For drug treatment, drugs are mainly used that slow down the production of cholesterol by the liver, dilate blood vessels, or accelerate the expenditure of cholesterol by the liver for normal digestion. With atherosclerosis of the extremities, physiotherapy may be indicated.

There are three main methods of surgical treatment:

Vascular prosthetics– complete replacement of the damaged vessel.
Shunting- the formation of a new blood line, by suturing the affected vessel to a healthy one.
Angioplasty- cleaning and expansion of the affected area with a special catheter, which the doctor inserts through the femoral artery.

Forms of pathologies of various types

Pathological changes are divided into three types:

Fat stripes.
Fibrous plaques.
Complicated lesions.

Fat strips are one of the first signs of atherosclerosis. Fat strips are rather soft formations, and practically do not cause destructive vascular processes. They are quite difficult to detect, but when stained with a preparation containing fat-soluble dyes, they become visible quite clearly.

Fibrous plaques - protruding on the surface of the vessels of thickening. Usually they begin to appear in the abdominal aorta, carotid artery, and then progress through all the vessels and cause their blockage.

Complicated lesion - occurs with calcification of plaques, and further necrosis. May cause thrombosis and aneurysm formation.

Conclusion

Atherosclerosis is an acquired disease that has many forms and symptoms.. From a very early age, you need to monitor your diet and bad habits to minimize the risk of its occurrence. If, nevertheless, you have been given such a diagnosis, do not be afraid, in modern medicine there are many methods that allow, if not completely get rid of, then stop the progression of atherosclerosis for a long time.