Treatment of the coronary vessels of the heart. Diagnosis and treatment of coronary atherosclerosis

The most terrible enemy of any inhabitant of the planet over 50 years old, an insidious enemy that overtakes unexpectedly and changes life once and for all. An enemy to be known by sight. Meet - atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries.

Really frightening data is provided by medical statistics - every second death in the world is due to coronary heart disease. The cause of which is atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. It has always been like this, except for the times of total military battles. The saddest thing is that from year to year these indications change for the worse. This is despite the fact that medicine continues to develop, regional vascular centers are being opened to resolve the current situation, and new medicines are being produced. Let's try to figure out what kind of disease this is and how to defeat it.

With a significant narrowing of the arteries and arterioles (the smallest vessels) of the heart, their defeat by the atherosclerotic process, the heart does its job worse and worse. At rest, pain most often does not bother, but when walking, running, lifting weights or strong experiences, the heart begins to work faster. That's when the characteristic pains appear in the patient. As a rule, a person complains of a squeezing sensation, similar to a feeling of heaviness, points with a hand to the center of the chest or the left side. At rest, the pain goes away. This medical condition is called angina pectoris. In more severe cases, when atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels of the heart is even more common, similar pains occur even with the slightest movement.

Why does the heart hurt

At the beginning of the disease, a person usually does not feel sick - he has no complaints, discomfort. For a long time, atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart proceeds painlessly, without making itself felt. As a rule, with an increase in atherosclerotic plaque and its bulging into the lumen of the vessel, the first symptoms appear. The vessel that supplies blood to the heart muscle becomes narrow. Blood flows through it worse. There is a lack of oxygen and the heart begins to cope poorly with the load. The body suffers, roughly speaking, from malnutrition. In medicine, there is a well-known expression "pain in the heart is his cry for help."

Development of the disease

Angina pectoris is a disease that can disturb a person for decades in a row. However, more often the disease progresses. If you do not pay due attention to treatment, atherosclerosis continues to grow and a heart attack develops.

At the molecular level, the cause of a heart attack is stenosing atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries. . That is a huge, total defeat of the vessels of the heart. It happens something like this - the plaque cover breaks and blood particles begin to “stick” to the liquid core, creating a clot. The already narrow vessel closes completely. In the lumen of it, inflammation begins. And in that part of the muscle that was supplied from this vessel, a catastrophe occurs. If you stop receiving food, the muscle dies. At this moment, the patient feels a sharp, unbearable pain in the chest, fear, shortness of breath may appear. This moment is critical for life. Some survive, some don't. It depends primarily on how extensive the affected area is. Of course, the age and condition of the patient, and his other chronic diseases also play a role.

How to fight

The very first question asked by patients is whether atherosclerosis can be cured. Definitely not. There is no such drug that would cause the reverse development of the process, the reduction or disappearance of the plaque. Treatment is to stabilize the situation. Slow down the growth of atherosclerosis, and in the best case, stop it altogether. Ideally, you need to think about this even before the onset of symptoms. However, later it becomes literally a vital necessity.

As cliche as it sounds, you should start by changing your lifestyle. Namely, with proper nutrition. The fats that make up plaque come mostly from the fats we eat. It should be borne in mind that only animal fats should be considered “guilty” in the formation of atherosclerosis - they are the ones that are dangerous. Vegetable fats do not cause the growth of atherosclerosis. Butter, cream, fatty meat - these are the foods that need to be strictly limited. On the contrary, vegetables, fruits, cereals are extremely healthy products. Their content should make up the majority of the diet. Much attention is paid to vegetable oils, they should, if possible, replace butter.

In addition to nutrition, metabolism is of great importance. A person with increased body weight is much more at risk of developing coronary heart disease. In addition, the tendency to atherosclerosis increases diabetes mellitus, especially poorly treated, with high blood sugar levels.

A significant contribution to the incidence is made by heredity. Atherosclerosis of the aorta and coronary arteries can develop even at a young age and proceed very aggressively if the patient has a genetic predisposition. It can be detected by tests that show the content of total cholesterol and its fractions in the blood. The fact is that one of the varieties of blood fats is the most dangerous. Therefore, it is very important to do a detailed analysis. With a serious violation of lipid metabolism, an increase in "bad" cholesterol - LDL (more than 3) and an increase in total cholesterol (more than 5) are detected.

Medical treatment

There are drugs that can affect the metabolism of fats. They are called statins, and they suppress the increase in "bad" cholesterol, which causes the growth of atherosclerosis. Statins also reduce total blood cholesterol levels. According to some scientific data, these drugs can even slightly reduce the size of atherosclerotic plaques, but you should not count on this seriously.

The appointment and selection of the dose of drugs of this kind should be carried out only by a doctor. Like any other medicines, they have a number of side effects, for example, they affect liver function. For this reason, they are prescribed strictly according to indications, focusing on tests and the severity of the disease. Timely intake of statins in suitable dosages is one of the most powerful means of preventing atherosclerosis.

Operation

It would seem that the size of the affected vessels in coronary heart disease is very small for surgery. But fortunately, modern medicine can even do that. With severe angina pectoris or acute infarction, a special intervention is performed - coronary angiography. A microscopic probe is passed into the heart vessel and contrast is injected. Under high magnification, doctors can see where blood flow is obstructed and correct the problem. With a special balloon, the narrowing site expands and a stent is installed - a mesh-like structure that increases the lumen. This operation is performed under local anesthesia. Moreover, opening the chest is not required, only a small puncture on the arm or thigh.

Stenting could be considered as salvation, if not for one thing. The vessels on which the intervention took place are again affected by atherosclerosis if statins and a number of other medications are not taken. After the operation, the patient is simply obliged to drink medicines for life, according to a certain scheme.

In summary, we can say that atherosclerosis is really enemy number one. But having examined it from all sides, we can successfully repulse the attacks. The main thing is to act on time and reasonably.

What is vascular atherosclerosis

Vascular atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that affects the vessels in almost the entire body: brain vessels, heart vessels (coronary vessels), arteries, vessels of the lower extremities. The form and symptoms of atherosclerosis depend on the location of the disease.

The essence of atherosclerosis is that growths appear on the inner surface of the arteries (which is even and smooth in a healthy state) - cholesterol deposits. They harden and affect the inner walls of the vessel. These outgrowths ("cholesterol atherosclerotic plaques") are covered with connective tissue, protrude into the cavity of the blood vessel and narrow the lumen of the vessel, reduce its diameter and impede blood circulation. Internal organs suffering from malnutrition cease to function fully. Increased risk of thrombosis and stroke.

Causes of atherosclerosis

The causes of atherosclerosis can be conditionally divided into primary and secondary. The primary causes of atherosclerosis include previous diseases:

gout (increased levels of uric acid in the body);
hypertension (systematically high blood pressure);
diabetes mellitus (disorders of carbohydrate metabolism);
hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid);
acute and chronic kidney disease;
liver diseases, as a result of which there is an increased production of endogenous cholesterol.

Secondary factors in the formation of atherosclerosis are lifestyle, dietary habits, and the presence of bad habits.

alcohol and smoking;
excess body weight;
sedentary lifestyle;
eating fatty and fried foods (especially trans fats);
long-term use of hormonal contraceptives;
advanced age;
stress, physical and emotional strain.

Forms and symptoms of vascular atherosclerosis

Symptoms of atherosclerosis depend on the location of the disease.

Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels. Often they say "cerebral atherosclerosis of the vessels of the brain." In this case, the arteries of the brain are affected by cholesterol plaques located in large and medium-sized vessels. Symptoms: deterioration of memory, concentration, decreased mental activity, dizziness, headaches. Symptoms of cerebral atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels are often associated with typical signs of aging.
Atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries(carotid atherosclerosis) is a disease characterized by damage to the carotid arteries. The carotid arteries are the most important conductors of oxygen for the brain. Speech abilities, thinking, sensations and motor activity depend on the full-fledged work of these arteries. With the defeat of the carotid arteries, the full functioning of the brain and the whole organism is disrupted. Symptoms of such atherosclerosis: illegible speech, loss of vision in one eye, memory impairment, sensations of loss of sensitivity, numbness of the extremities.
Atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels. There is a violation of the blood supply to the tissues of the heart, outwardly this manifests itself as attacks of angina pectoris, cardiosclerosis, cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction.
Atherosclerosis of the thoracic aorta. Symptoms: increased systolic blood pressure, dizziness, hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, prolonged pressing or burning pain in the chest.
Atherosclerosis of the lower extremities. At the initial stages of the disease, the symptoms of atherosclerosis of the lower extremities include fatigue and pain in the calf muscles, chilliness in the legs, cramps, and blanching of the skin of the legs.
Obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, is one of the forms of atherosclerosis of the legs. In this disease, plaques of cholesterol form on the walls of the arteries, they disrupt normal blood flow, causing narrowing of blood vessels (stenosis) or its complete blockage, called occlusion or obliteration. In the advanced stage of obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, an irreversible process of necrosis occurs - gangrene of the leg (necrosis of all tissues below the site of blockage of the artery).

Complications due to atherosclerosis

As a result of atherosclerosis, a chronic autoimmune process often develops in atherosclerotic plaques. The connective tissue grows and this leads to a slow deformation and narrowing of the lumen, thereby causing a chronic, slowly increasing insufficiency of blood supply to the organ that feeds through the affected artery. It is also possible to block the lumen with a thrombus or the contents of an atherosclerotic plaque that has disintegrated.

As a result, the most severe complications of vascular atherosclerosis are stroke, heart attack (tissue necrosis) and gangrene in the organ that is powered by this artery.

A stroke is an acute circulatory disorder in the brain. Distinguish between ischemic stroke (cholesterol plaque or blood clot blocking the vessel) and hemorrhagic stroke (bleeding into the brain - often a consequence of high blood pressure). Thus, through stroke, complications from atherosclerosis lead to neurological problems, including paralysis.

Speaking of a heart attack, most often they mean myocardial infarction (a consequence of atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels), - heart damage. Necrotic changes in the tissues of the heart muscle in this case are irreversible, there will be a scar from the connective tissue. And in the future, this scar will interfere with normal blood flow in the vessels of the heart.

In the case of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, complications in the form of gangrene often lead to amputation.

All these conditions and diseases are life-threatening and often lead to disability.

Prevention of atherosclerosis

Prevention of atherosclerosis includes smoking cessation, weight regulation, limiting emotional overload, certain food restrictions, and increasing physical activity.

To maintain the body and prevent atherosclerosis, you should eat foods low in salt, sugar and cholesterol. A low-calorie, low-fat diet is recommended. It is necessary to eat cereals, vegetables, herbs, red wine, unrefined vegetable oil.

Treatment of vascular atherosclerosis

Treatment of atherosclerosis can be medical and surgical.

Treatment of atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, of course, medication. Prescribe drugs that:

expand the vessels of the brain;
strengthen the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels;
improve metabolism at the cellular level of the brain;
lower the level of cholesterol in the vessels;
relieve vasospasm.

In the treatment of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, in addition to taking medications, physiotherapy is also used. In the presence of trophic ulcers, antibiotic ointments are used.

In the treatment of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, surgical intervention is also allowed, but usually this is already an extreme measure. Surgery is prescribed for pronounced ischemia and the occurrence of very severe complications.

The need and extent of surgery is determined by the surgeon. Surgical treatment of atherosclerosis does not provide a complete cure. The complication is eliminated, and not the cause that caused it (atherosclerosis). Therefore, after the operation, lifestyle changes, nutrition and conservative treatment are required.

treatment of a concomitant disease that aggravates atherosclerosis (for example, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, etc.),
smoking cessation,
low cholesterol diet
moderate exercise,
in the case of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the legs - wearing comfortable shoes.

Dienai line preparations are suitable both for already diagnosed atherosclerosis and for the prevention of vascular atherosclerosis. In this case, the difference will be only in the duration of administration and in the number of drugs.

For example, for the prevention of atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels you can take Midivirin - a source of oligonucleotides and natural taurine.

For the prevention of atherosclerosis of the heart vessels- you can take one basic Dienai or in combination with Venomax, - a source of oligonucleotides and bioflavonoids, the drug cleanses blood vessels and strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

For the prevention of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities- You can also take Venomax, but in combination with Venomax Axiom. Venomax Axima accelerates the outflow of lymph from tissues in which blood circulation is reduced, eliminates swelling of the lower extremities.

In cases of progressive atherosclerosis we can recommend the following complexes:

Atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels, - drugs:
- 1st month: Dianay 70 capsules
- 2nd month: Venomax 50 capsules + Vasomax 30 capsules
- 3rd month: Midivirine 70 capsules
- 4th month: Neurostim 50 capsules
- 5th month: Neurostim Indigo 10 capsules
Obliterating atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, - preparations:
- 1st month: Dienai + Venomax Axiom 10 capsules
- 2nd month: suppress the inflammatory process in the vessels. The latter is very important, since as a result of inflammation, the atherosclerotic plaque becomes unstable and at any moment it can rupture, fraught with the formation of a blood clot and the development of myocardial infarction.
  Clinical trials of Dienai have shown that the level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood is reduced by 25-30%, in contrast to the pharmacological preparations of statins, which have a direct inhibitory effect on cholesterol synthesis, the abolition of Dienai does not cause a sharp reverse effect, that is, an even higher increase in cholesterol levels . Dienai can and should be taken with traditional lipid-lowering drugs, since the mechanisms of its anti-atherogenic action are different, and therefore complement and make the treatment of multifactorial atherosclerosis complex.
  
  Dosing regimen
  
  All of the above drugs applied consistently, first a course of one drug, then another, etc. Each package is a course for a month.
  
  Dosage: Start with 1 capsule per day, then every 3 days increase the dosage by 1 capsule. The maximum dosage is 3-4 capsules per day.
  
  With atherosclerosis of the vessels of the head, it must be understood that Dienai preparations clean the vessels (this is sensitive for the vessels of the head), so there may be discomfort in the form of a headache. In this case, simply reduce the dosage to a comfortable level.
  
  In case of myocardial infarction, stroke, enderteritis, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the above drugs should be taken in combination with pharmacological drugs prescribed by your doctor.

The site provides reference information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Expert advice is required!

Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the heart vessels
Atherosclerosis coronary arteries is the most common cause of coronary heart disease, which occurs against the background of impaired blood supply to the heart muscle. How myocardial infarction, and angina pectoris are the results of atherosclerosis of the arteries of the heart of varying degrees of severity. In the case of partial blockage of the heart vessels, coronary heart disease of various degrees of severity makes itself felt. If a patient develops a myocardial infarction, it means that the person has a complete blockage of the heart vessels. After reading the information presented in this article, you will be able to get acquainted with the main signs and symptoms that accompany such a pathology as atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart.

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart

Blood enters the heart region through two coronary arteries, which depart directly from the very beginning of the aorta, which is the central blood vessel of the human body. Any violation of blood circulation through the coronary heart arteries causes a malfunction of the heart muscle, which in turn leads to the development of a heart attack, that is, the necrosis of one or another part of the heart muscle. The most common cause of the development of such circulatory disorders is considered to be atherosclerosis of these arteries. Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is accompanied by the formation of so-called seals in the arterial walls, which are called plaques. The presence of such seals gradually leads to the fact that the walls of the arteries begin not only to deform, but also to collapse, while their significant narrowing is noted. The degree of narrowing of the arterial lumen, as well as circulatory disorders in this area, play a major role in the severity of the signs of this pathology. It should be noted that all these signs in most cases resemble the symptoms of coronary heart disease, which occurs against the background of just the same disease.

Symptoms accompanying atherosclerosis of the heart vessels

Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart are signs of angina pectoris and coronary heart disease, as well as cardiosclerosis and myocardial infarction. A clear sign of the presence of this pathology is considered to be angina attacks, accompanied by:

Burning or pressing pain in the chest area, which usually radiates to the left shoulder and back. This kind of pain makes itself felt at the time of physical exertion or stressful conditions;
Shortness of breath - a feeling of lack of air is created, which is noted at the time of the onset of pain. Sometimes people are forced to experience this kind of attacks in a sitting position, as they simply suffocate when lying down;
There are also such patients in whom this kind of attacks are also characterized by headache, severe dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

In most cases, this kind of attacks can be stopped with nitroglycerin, since it is this pharmaceutical agent that is the main one in the fight against angina attacks. In the event of a complication of the course of this pathology, symptoms such as:

myocardial infarction
Very strong pain in the chest, similar to pain in angina pectoris, which cannot be eliminated by taking nitroglycerin, a sharp establishment of heart failure, severe shortness of breath, loss of consciousness is quite possible.

Cardiosclerosis
The gradual development of heart failure against the background of physical activity, shortness of breath, as well as excessive swelling.

Atherosclerosis confidently takes the lead among cardiovascular diseases leading to death. The main reasons for this dynamics: a passive lifestyle provokes its development, the disease is difficult to detect in the early stages and cure in the later stages. The main threat among different types of atherosclerosis is coronary atherosclerosis, which will be discussed below.

The coronary artery is the artery that delivers oxygenated blood to the "central" muscle of the heart, the myocardium. The latter is responsible for the rhythmic contractions of the heart, which form the basis of blood circulation and do not stop throughout a person's life.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease of the arteries, in which cholesterol plaques form in them, blocking the lumen of the artery and interfering with normal blood flow.

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is a blockage inside the coronary arteries that leads to a lack of oxygen in the tissues of the heart.

Why narrows the lumen of the artery?

It's all about cholesterol. Its high concentration leads to the formation of plaques from it on the inner walls of the arteries. The walls become narrower, there is less oxygen in important organs, tissues undergo hypoxia and die.

High cholesterol levels can have several causes. The most obvious is malnutrition. The more fried potatoes enter the stomach, the more harmful (in excess) the substance enters the bloodstream. Less obvious is poor metabolism, including lipoproteins, which are responsible for removing cholesterol from the body. High density lipoproteins do their job, and similar low and very low density proteins can themselves be deposited in plaques along with cholesterol.

Plugs initially appear as deposits on the inner walls of blood vessels. Over time, the growths become larger due to the receipt of new portions of the "building material" and the appearance of connective tissue in the lesions. This is how coronary sclerosis develops. Subsequently, one of two things happens: either the vessel slowly but surely overgrows until it is completely blocked, or the clot breaks, releasing its contents and immediately blocking the artery.

In the case of a slow development of the disease in the coronary vessels, the patient begins to detect IHD (coronary heart disease) in a chronic form. This diagnosis means that the heart does not have enough oxygen, and it is accompanied by pain in the region of the heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue. When a thrombus ruptures, IHD occurs in an acute form - myocardial infarction. In this case, the oxygen supply to the heart muscle stops abruptly, and the myocardium begins to undergo necrosis or, more simply, die. In this case, the issue of human life is resolved in the next few hours or even minutes.

Thus, the narrowing of the lumen of the artery is caused by the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels, leads to their blockage and can be the cause of both serious chronic diseases and sudden death.

Who is predisposed to the disease?

Elevated blood cholesterol levels. More cholesterol means more chances for a blood clot.
Sedentary lifestyle. Stagnation of blood in the body helps cholesterol to settle on the walls of the arteries.
Obesity. Excess weight puts a strain on the entire body, including the cardiovascular system.
Hypertension. Increased pressure increases the chance of damage to the walls of blood vessels.
Diabetes. Metabolic disorders can unpredictably affect the entire body.
Wrong nutrition. Especially dangerous is a large amount of animal fats, cholesterol and salt.
Smoking. It constricts and dilates blood vessels, increasing the load on them, and also spoils the internal structure of arteries and veins.

Those who have several of these factors in their lives should think about their future, since the chance of developing atherosclerosis for them is quite high.

Symptoms of atherosclerosis

All symptoms of insufficient blood circulation in the heart can be divided into two categories: general and ischemic. General ones are associated with a deterioration in blood flow throughout the body, ischemic ones are associated specifically with the heart.

General symptoms:

Shortness of breath, poor exercise tolerance. The lungs have to supply more oxygen to the body to make up for the lack.
Dizziness. With insufficient blood pressure, the brain cannot work normally.
Coldness in hands and feet. The blood does not reach the distant areas of the body in sufficient volume, as a result of which the temperature decreases.
Nausea, vomiting, feeling unwell, clouding of consciousness. Everything that accompanies diseases of the cardiovascular system.

These symptoms are a sure sign that the disease has not yet gained full strength, but is already approaching.

Of the ischemic symptoms, it is worth highlighting the following:

Attacks of angina pectoris. Sharp pain in the chest, usually in the back. It manifests itself during physical exertion and is due to the fact that the heart cannot get enough oxygen.
Wrong heart rhythm. With a lack of blood, the heart can work “idle”.
Hypertension. Blockages in the coronary arteries increase blood pressure.
Ischemic heart disease in chronic or acute form. As noted above, lack of nutrition for the myocardium can result in a number of problems, including fatal ones.
Cardiophobia. Simply put, it is the fear of death in the event of any heart problems. The danger is that any fear increases the flow of testosterone and pulse, and these changes can aggravate a heart attack or heart attack.

These symptoms indicate that there is a problem and needs to be addressed urgently. Therefore, if you find yourself with several of these cardiac symptoms or coronary artery disease, the main thing is not to panic and immediately consult a doctor.

Medical diagnosis of the disease

The diagnosis of almost any disease, including atherosclerosis, is based on asking the patient about his state of health (anamnesis) and various tests.

In addition to anamnesis and tests, ultrasound of the heart and echocardiography are used. An ultrasound picture of the heart allows you to assess the extent of the lesion: changes in the internal shape, wall thickness, the level of contractility of the chambers. Carrying out the procedure during physical activity allows you to see areas that receive less oxygen. Often, 24-hour ECG monitoring is used, in which the recording device is attached to the body and remains with the person for a long time.

Computed tomography (CT), multislice CT, electron beam tomography allow you to expand the picture, learn more about the patient's heart condition. The introduction of contrast agents during examinations show a detailed pattern of arteries, veins and vessels. Based on this information, the doctor can choose the type of treatment.

Intravascular ultrasound, radionuclide studies, treadmill test, scintigraphy and bicycle ergometry are prescribed if necessary to clarify the details of the diagnosis.

In general, the diagnosis of coronary artery atherosclerosis is quite extensive in its methods and depends on the individual patient, his capabilities and the capabilities of the hospital in which he is located.

How to treat coronary arteries?

The first and most important rule in treatment is no self-treatment! At best, it will not have any effect, and the disease will develop further. At worst, the disease can be aggravated.

In mild to moderate cases, drug therapy and lifestyle changes may suffice. The drugs are aimed at two goals: the fight against further narrowing of the lumen of the vessel and the elimination of the consequences of coronary atherosclerosis. The first point is achieved by reducing the content of cholesterol in the blood, the second is realized by strengthening and protecting the heart muscle.

Lifestyle improvement plays an even more important role here than pills. An adequate diet, moderate exercise under the guidance of a cardiologist, the rejection of bad habits, the treatment of obesity and other diseases such as diabetes will put the patient on his feet as quickly as medical intervention. And in general, there is not a single disease that would be badly affected by a healthy lifestyle.

In severe cases, if there is no other way out, the doctor may prescribe surgery. A common option is the implantation of a stent, with which you can expand the damaged vessel and ensure normal blood flow. If this is not enough, coronary artery bypass grafting may be required. This method allows you to create a healthy blood bypass while ignoring the atherosclerotic vessel.

Regardless of which method the doctor prescribes to the patient, treatment should be started as soon as possible - take pills, run in the morning or sign up for surgery, because in atherosclerosis, lost time can cost further well-being or even life.

Prognosis for atherosclerosis

If treatment is started on time, the development of the disease can be stopped. It is almost impossible to completely restore damaged arteries, but with timely measures taken and competent medical intervention, sclerotic plaques will decrease, blood flow will increase and the patient's condition will improve.

But you need to come to terms with the fact that atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart is a disease that you have to live with. You can’t take pills for a week, run, eat vegetables and recover. Those who are faced with this disease need to change their lifestyle, adjusting it to new conditions, if they do not want to spend the remaining time in hospitals and intensive care units.

Disease prevention

If the reader feels well and does not plan to devote 10-20 years of his life to the fight against a serious chronic disease, he should now think about his health. Fuel to the fire is added by the fact that atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels of the heart does not manifest itself in any way at an early stage, and it can be detected only upon the manifestation of symptoms. That is, too late.

Prevention is simple: you need to give up bad habits, play sports or physical labor, eat well, treat diseases in a timely manner and visit a cardiologist every few years for an examination. Naturally, following this list is not so easy, but following it will improve the quality of life and greatly prolong it.

As a result, atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is a dangerous chronic disease that manifests itself in the later stages and, if not handled carefully, can lead to death. It affects the central arteries of the heart and is reluctant to treat, although it is possible to stop it and even achieve positive dynamics. In order not to find yourself lying in intensive care after a heart attack, you need to see a doctor in time when symptoms appear, and even better - take care of your health and not get sick at all.

A chronic disease, the development of which leads to the deposition of lipid clots on the surface of the endothelium is called atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels. Pathology develops slowly, causing ischemic damage to the myocardium, which causes narrowing of the vascular lumen or its complete blockage. In the absence of timely treatment, atherosclerotic changes cause the development of vascular insufficiency, which can cause the death of the patient. It is for this reason that it is necessary to consider in detail the reasons why it develops, what signs it has and how it is treated.

Coronary atherosclerosis is a chronic disease that leads to slow compaction and narrowing of the heart vessels due to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques on the surface of the lining layer of the vessels - the endothelium. The development of pathology can occur over several decades.

The first signs of vascular lesions of atherosclerotic origin usually appear in adolescence, but the pathology begins to progress when people are in middle age. Usually, the first signs of atherosclerosis of the heart arteries begin to appear at the age of 45-55 years.

Atherosclerotic plaques develop due to the accumulation of LDL, which is bad cholesterol.

Fat clots slowly increase and bulge into the coronary lumen. There is a violation of blood flow, in some cases it stops completely. This leads to oxygen starvation of the myocardium, violations of its functions, the development of ischemic lesions.

This pathology has several stages of development:

at the initial stage, there is a slowdown in blood flow, microcracks appear on the vascular endothelium. These changes provoke a slow deposition of fat, so the development of a fatty spot occurs. A decrease in the action of protective functions leads to an increase in the proliferation of the walls of blood vessels, the growth of fatty spots and their merging into fatty stripes.
at the next stage, the growth of lipid formations occurs. As a result, atherosclerotic plaques appear on the coronary arteries. This stage is characterized by the development of blood clots, which can break off and block the artery.
at the last stage, the atherosclerotic clot thickens due to the accumulation of calcium salts in them. For this reason, there is a narrowing of the lumen of the artery and its deformation.

Causes

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries of the heart can develop under the influence of endogenous and exogenous causes. Experts identify almost 200 different factors contributing to the development of the disease.

But the most common are:

elevated blood cholesterol levels;
smoking;
arterial hypertension;
sedentary lifestyle;
eating foods rich in saturated fats;
hereditary predisposition;
gender - in women, pathology develops 4 times less often than in men;
age;
obesity;
addiction to alcohol;
diabetes.

Diagnostics

It is possible to identify atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels by conducting an electrocardiogram, on which signs of cardiac ischemia can be determined.

To confirm atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels, it is necessary to conduct a number of studies:

stress scintigraphy - a method that allows you to determine the localization of fat accumulations on the surface of the vascular walls and their condition;
Doppler ultrasound and intravascular ultrasound, which allow to determine changes in the structure of blood vessels, wall thickness, chamber sizes, the presence of departments with impaired contractility, assess hemodynamics and valve morphology;
coronography - an examination of the heart using an x-ray using a contrast agent. The method helps to identify the location, size of the affected areas and the size of the arterial lumen;
stress echography - a method that allows you to identify transient disorders of contractility of the heart muscle in places where there was a violation of blood flow.

Therapy

The treatment of atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels of the heart must be approached comprehensively. It is necessary not only to use the funds prescribed by the doctor, but also to follow a diet. To cure this pathology, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

reduce fat intake by 10%. Exclude butter, lard, trans fats from the menu. They can be replaced with any vegetable oil;
reduce the use of food products containing saturated fatty acids: fatty meat, cream, eggs;
introduce foods rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids into the diet: fish of any kind, seafood;
eat more foods rich in fiber - fruits and vegetables;
eat less salt.

To cure atherosclerosis of the coronary vessels, drugs belonging to different pharmacological groups are used. Sometimes they are combined.

Statins

Medicines included in this group help to suppress the production of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase. It is essential for the production of cholesterol. In addition, it helps to increase the number of membrane receptors that allow you to bind and utilize low-density lipoproteins from the bloodstream. It helps lower cholesterol levels. Statins help to restore the elasticity of the vascular walls and have an anti-inflammatory effect.

The most popular and effective drugs from the statin group are:

Provastatin;
Lovastatin;
Simvastatin;
Atorvastatin;
fluvastatin.

Usually take these funds once a day - in the morning or in the evening. Therapy begins with a minimum dosage, and a month after the start of administration, a dose adjustment is made.

The most common side effects associated with the use of statins are myopathy, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

Anion exchange resins

Means belonging to this group bind bile acids, which gives the liver the opportunity to synthesize them using cholesterol. Such funds include:

Questran;
Colestipol;
cholestyramine.

The preparations are made in powder form. They are dissolved in water and drunk during meals 2-3 times a day. Already a month after the start of taking the remedy, the effect of their use becomes noticeable.

The use of these drugs can lead to undesirable effects on the part of the digestive system, such as nausea, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation. Most often, drugs in this group are prescribed together with statins.

Fibrates

They are prescribed for high levels of triglycerides in the blood. They help to activate the production of an enzyme that promotes the breakdown of low-density lipoproteins. These include:

Benzafibrate;
Gemfibrozil.

These drugs are taken before meals twice a day. Their use can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Sometimes there is muscle weakness and dizziness.

Folk recipes

Therapy of atherosclerosis of the heart vessels with the help of traditional medicine recipes is a rather lengthy process. To reduce the concentration of cholesterol, it is necessary not only to use products prepared from medicinal plants, but also to lead a healthy lifestyle.

To strengthen the walls of blood vessels and reduce the concentration of cholesterol, you need to use:

Garlic. To prepare the medicine, you will need to take 5 large heads. Clean and grind thoroughly. Then mix with May honey, taken in the same volume. Leave the resulting mixture for three days in a dark place. You can store the medicine in the refrigerator. For 6 months, take 2 grams daily before meals in the morning and evening.
Lemon. Pour 10 grams of needles with two glasses of water and boil over low heat for 5 minutes. When the broth has cooled - strain. Peel two lemons and chop thoroughly and pour over the cooled broth. Insist 3 days. Then add 50 grams of May honey and mix well. The drug is taken at 50 milliliters per day. The course of treatment is 3 months.
Onion. 50 milliliters of onion juice should be mixed with 20 milliliters of aloe juice and honey, taken in the same amount. The medicine can be stored in the refrigerator and taken in a teaspoon once a day at night.

When atherosclerosis is detected rather late and threatens the life of the patient, urgent surgical intervention is required to restore impaired blood circulation. Today, two methods are used: shunting and stenting.

Stenting

A frame is installed in the lumen of the coronary vessel, which expands the area with reduced patency. The stent is a cellular metal tube. It is placed inside the affected vessel, then inflated with a special balloon, pressing into the walls.

The operation is performed using local anesthesia. During the intervention, the patient can freely communicate with the specialist and follow his recommendations. A special catheter is used to introduce the stent, conductor and balloon.

Once the balloon has been correctly positioned, the guidewire and catheter are removed. Such an operation is quite effective, but repeated vasoconstriction is possible in 20% of cases. This is due to the overgrowth of muscle tissue.

Shunting

If a patient has a progressive narrowing of the main artery leading to the heart muscle, a coronary artery bypass grafting operation is performed. This manipulation restores blood flow through the installation of shunts - special vascular prostheses. Bypass surgery differs from stenting in that it bypasses narrowed areas.

This operation is very serious and lasts 3-4 hours. During the procedure, a heart-lung machine is used. The recovery period is quite long. If the patient does not follow all the recommendations of specialists and stops taking the medication on his own, a relapse is possible.

Complications

In the case when atherosclerotic plaques affect several vessels at once, this can be fatal. In addition, death can be provoked by a rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque. Most often this happens in the winter in the morning, shortly after waking up. This happens due to excessive physical activity or severe stress.

This leads to fluctuations in the tone of the coronary artery, increased blood flow, a sharp increase in blood pressure and the frequency of myocardial contractions. In addition, blood clotting is affected.

When there is a blockage of the lumen of the artery, death occurs. In 60% of cases, the death of the patient occurs even before arrival at the hospital. In the case of partial damage to the vessel, unstable angina appears.

The disease can be complicated by myocardial infarction, which has characteristic features:

the appearance of a sharp pain in the chest, radiating to the back;
lowering blood pressure;
dyspnea;
fainting.

In this case, immediate hospitalization and resuscitation are needed.

Important! Cardiosclerosis is another complication. With its development, myocardial cells are replaced by scar tissue, which ceases to take part in contractions of the heart muscle and leads to excessive stress on the heart.

The following signs indicate the development of atherosclerosis:

General weakness;
Dyspnea;
The appearance of edema;
Pain in the heart, aggravated by physical exertion;
Arrhythmia.

Prevention

To prevent atherosclerosis of the vessels, you need to follow simple recommendations:

eradicate bad habits;
adhere to proper nutrition;
exercise and take walks in the fresh air;
normalize body weight;
treat infectious diseases in a timely manner.

Only a specialist with a narrow profile can make a diagnosis, based on the results obtained after carrying out diagnostic measures.