Atherosclerosis is a common degenerative disease of the arteries, in which fatty material, called “atheromas” or plaques, is deposited in the wall of your arteries, narrowing the arteries and eventually restricting the blood flow.
The term “atherosclerosis” is often used to indicate any of the forms of "arteriosclerosis” - a disease characterized by thickening and hardening of artery walls.
Signs of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis shows no symptoms and may not be diagnosed - until serious complications occur.
Prior to complications, atherosclerosis may be noted by the presence of
- a "bruit" (a whooshing or blowing sound heard over the artery with a stethoscope).
The affected area may have a decreased pulse.
Standard Testing for Atherosclerosis
Standard medical tests that indicate atherosclerosis and/or its complications include:
- Ankle/Brachial Index, or ABI, measuring an abnormal difference between the blood pressure of the ankle and arm
- A Doppler study of the affected area
- Ultrasonic Duplex scanning
- A CT or "CAT" scan - a specialized form of X-ray of the affected area
- Magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA)
- An arteriography of the affected area
- An intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) of the affected vessels
Common Complications of Atherosclerosis
The common consequences of atherosclerosis include:
- Coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis of arteries to the heart); due to obstruction (ischemia), the blood supply to the heart is insufficient, resulting in angina, or chest pain
- Heart attack, or myocardial infarction
- Stroke and/or transient ischemic attack (TIA) - a "light stroke," mini-stroke, or brain attack
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD) - insufficient blood supply to the legs and feet due to obstruction
- Damage to the kidneys and other organs
- Atherosclerosis and obstruction of bypass grafts and stents (restenosis)
Standard Medical Treatments
Standard medical treatments and techniques for atherosclerosis include:
1. Prescription medications - mainly to reduce
- fats and cholesterol in your blood
- the risk of clot formation.
2. Balloon angioplasty - to
- flatten plaque and increase the blood flow past the deposits by opening the arteries of the heart and other arteries in the body.
3. Stenting, usually following angioplasty - to
- keep the artery open by implanting a small metal device inside the artery.
4. Endarterectomy - to
- surgically remove deposits in the arteries.
5. A bypass graft – to
- create a bridge that by-passes the blocked section of the artery by using a normal artery or vein from the patient.
The Dissapointing Results
All "cut or medicate" treatments carry with them the possible risks, the side effects and after effects, and the serious costs (in effort, time and money).
For example, in the vast majority of cases, bypass - quite an amazing piece of surgery! - is a classic example of traditional medicine being:
- too much
- too late and
- not treating the cause of the problem.
Too many people die or end up in a nursing home due to complications from this procedure. In fact, far fewer people benefit from it than originally thought.
The surgeon only repairs about two (2) inches of the diseased blood vessels, usually recommending drugs to lower cholesterol and, eventually, sending you to a dietician, who is equally clueless.
Among the drugs prescribed, cholesterol-lowering (statin) drugs are known for their disappointing results. Instead of washing the fatty plaques off the walls, as expected, these drugs create problems.
On the other hand, even people at risk, or with diseased arteries, are reluctant to change their lifestyle and eating habits! "It's not so easy!" - they cry. Well, old habits die hard - so do we!
Far Less Scepticism
However, today, far less scepticism exists in medical circles about the atherosclerosis prevention and control offered by nutrition than a few years ago.
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The conventional medical establishment has long ridiculed nutritional supplementation, but for the first time, a 1998 editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine encouraged the use of nutritional supplements to reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease.
Although continuing research is proving the nutritional approach right, medical establishments still regard the nutritional approach to atherosclerosis as "controversial." That's another way of saying "not completely verified."
An Opportunity
At Full-Health.com, we hope that you will give the nutritional approach to atherosclerosis serious consideration; it can help you halt the progression of atheroslerosis and reduce buildup of fatty plaques in your arteries without harmful drugs or risky surgery.
Think, feel and act positive. Be more concerned with what is right than with who is right!
Discover what many people still don't know, or do not want to know about Arterial Cleansing Formula; your life, or the life of someone you know or hold dear, may depend upon it!
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© 1998-2004 ATHEROSCLEOSIS Controlled Nutritionally At 40+. Arterial Cleansing Formula - Reverse Atherosclerosis Without Drugs or Surgery. All rights reserved worldwide. This document may not be copied in part or full without express written permission from the publisher. The information on atherosclerosis and nutrition provided herein is a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone, therefore, it should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. While reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information on atherosclerosis, Full-Health.com assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from use of the information herein.