What is Arteriosclerosis? This is when you have stiff and hard artery walls which leads to higher blood pressure levels. When this happens it makes it difficult for the blood to flow through, which increases pressure. If you leave arteriosclerosis untreated it can lead to high blood pressure and hypertension.
What is Arteriosclerosis? iStock-photo credit: colematt
What many people don’t know is if you have arteriosclerosis, most of the time it doesn’t present any visible physical symptoms. The only way to know if you have hypertension is to get your blood pressure measured.
One of main risks of arteriosclerosis is being older than the age of 55. After the age of 55 the stiffness of your arteries significantly increases. One of the best ways to treat it is through diet, exercise and incorporating less stress in your life.
It is recommended that you exercise at least 90 to 150 minutes per week to improve arterial elasticity. The American Heart Association recommends exercising at least 150 minutes per week to maintain a healthy heart which is walking 30 minutes a day for 5 days a week.
Another tip is incorporating heart healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, fiber, and foods that are low in salt and saturated fat. Managing stress is important to help keep your blood pressure levels low.
Quitting cigarette smoking is an effective way to improve the health and function of your arteries. Limiting alcohol to one to two drinks a day can help with improving the health of your arteries.
When should you see a doctor?
- If you have a family history of heart disease
- If you experience chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Fast heart rate
- Cold Sweats
- Difficulty breathing
To diagnose if you have arteriosclerosis your doctor should perform some of the following tests:
- A Physical exam to identify if you have a fast heart rate.
- Checking your blood pressure levels.
- Doing blood tests to determine if you are risk factors for diabetes, high blood cholesterol, triglycerides levels, arteriosclerosis.
With medication and incorporating a consistent healthy lifestyle you can improve and reverse arteriosclerosis.
The Bottom Line is arteriosclerosis is when you have stiff and hard artery walls which can lead to hypertension and high blood pressure levels. Incorporating a healthier lifestyle of diet and exercise can improve this condition.
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About Author- Obi Obadike
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References
- Wu CF, Liu PY, Wu TJ, Hung Y, Yang SP, Lin GM. Therapeutic modification of arterial stiffness: An update and comprehensive review. World J Cardiol. 2015 Nov 26;7(11):742-53. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v7.i11.742. PMID: 26635922; PMCID: PMC4660469.
- The American Journal Of Medicine- https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(20)30945-1/fulltext
