Atherosclerosis of the aorta of the heart - what is it? Symptoms and Treatment

Many patients who received thisdiagnosis, are interested in what it is - atherosclerosis of the aorta of the heart, and what exactly this disease threatens. This disease is a lesion of a large vessel, accompanied by the deposition of cholesterol in the form of plaques on the vessels. This leads to stenosis and impaired blood supply to organs.

Heart disease atherosclerosis of the aorta leads to very dangerous complications, in particular, to such as:

• ischemia;
• myocardial infarction;
• cardiosclerosis;
• aneurysm of blood vessels.

In severely neglected cases, atherosclerosis leads to disability of the patient or even death.

What is the disease?

Cardiovascular system all lifeis subject to various diseases, which must be taken very seriously. The heart belongs to the most important organs. After all, the correctness of his work depends very much. One of the most dangerous diseases is atherosclerosis of the heart aorta. What it is, you can find out by reading the article.

When certain processes occur in the bodybroken fat metabolism. As a result, cholesterol is accumulated. Even with a slight damage to the walls of the vessels, fat deposits begin to form in its place, which eventually turns into a plaque. What does this lead to?

Gradually, the flow of blood becomes difficult, and in placeplatelets begin to accumulate in fatty plaques, as a result of which the lumen of the vessels narrows. Plaques in the vessels significantly complicate the flow of blood, and if they form in the aorta, then the negative effect is on the entire body. That is why the disease is considered very dangerous and treatment should be started as soon as possible.

Causes

To prevent the onset of the disease,every person should understand what it is - atherosclerosis of the aorta of the heart, and for what reasons arises. The factors that provoke the formation of this disease can be divided into disposable, potentially removable and unrecoverable. The latest reasons for development include:

• age;
• floor;
• heredity.

In elderly people, the number ofrisk of atherosclerosis. In addition, it is worth noting that men are sick much more often than women. A major role is played by genetic predisposition. Among the removable reasons, we can distinguish such as:

• smoking;
• unbalanced nutrition;
• physical inactivity.

During smoking, tar and nicotine are provokedspasm of blood vessels, which significantly increases the risk of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis. Accelerates the development of the pathological process of malnutrition, when the diet is dominated by animal fats. To the violation of fat balance in the body leads to a sedentary lifestyle, which contributes to the development of many different diseases.

Partially removable reasons include:

• hypertension;
• diabetes;
• infection and intoxication of the body;
• dyslipidemia.

It is necessary to treat high blood pressure, soas it leads to a more rapid formation of plaques. In addition, many diseases and malfunctions of the body's systems lead to the onset of atherosclerosis.

Stages of development

There are several stages of the development of atherosclerosis of the aorta of heart valves, among which one should distinguish such as:

• formation of a fatty stain;
• liposclerosis;
• atherocalcinosis.

At the initial stage, the walls are damagedvessels, slowing down of the total blood flow and formation of fatty deposits. This is most noticeable in the branches of the branching of the vascular system. Gradually, the protective mechanisms cease to function fully? and complex compounds are formed in this region. The duration of the initial stage is very different. However, it can be observed even in infants.

At the second stage around the fat depositsThe connective tissue begins to grow and plaques form. If the treatment is carried out in time, the prognosis is quite favorable. After all, plaques are prone to dissolution. At this stage, the walls of the vessels gradually lose their elasticity, begin to crack and the formation of thrombi.

The third stage is characterized by the fact that plaquesbegin to thicken and deposition of calcium salts occurs. In some cases, the pathology does not cause the patient any discomfort and progresses for a long time. However, very dangerous complications can arise.

Symptoms of the disease

With atherosclerosis of the aorta, the symptomsdiseases for a long time are completely absent. The first signs appear only when the walls of the vessels have undergone significant changes, and the treatment takes longer. Atherosclerosis is detected only during the diagnosis or after the occurrence of complications. Depending on the localization of the pathological process, the symptoms of atherosclerosis of the heart aorta can be different.

When lesions of the thoracic aorta arise such characteristic features as:

• severe burning pain in the shoulder, shoulder blade area and hands;
• dizziness and headache;
• increased pressure;
• hoarseness of voice and difficulty swallowing.

To a nonspecific symptomatology it is possible alsoinclude the formation of adipose tissue on the face and rapid aging. In addition, a bright band appears on the iris of the eye. Among the main signs of atherosclerosis of the abdominal part can be identified such as:

• pain in the abdomen after eating;
• disturbance of digestion processes;
• soreness in the navel;
• rapid weight loss.

Often, such a disease leads to ischemia,as well as the necrosis of the intestinal loops. When the first signs of atherosclerosis of the heart aorta appear, complex diagnostics and subsequent treatment should be performed.

Conducting diagnostics

How to treat atherosclerosis of the aorta of the heart, candetermine only the treating doctor after the complex diagnosis. For the diagnosis, the physician initially collects an anamnesis of the disease and examines the patient. Depending on the complaints available, it defines an area that requires more comprehensive diagnosis.

During the examination, the doctor must initiallymeasure pressure. If the disease occurs in the abdominal region, then when it is probed, irregularities and a different degree of hardness can be detected. In some cases, the therapist can refer to more narrow specialists, in particular, to a cardiologist, a vascular surgeon.

Then, analyzes for determining the level andthe composition of cholesterol in the body, since atherosclerosis provokes precisely an excessive amount of this substance. For more accurate diagnosis, studies are carried out using special equipment. You may need an ECG with exercise, ultrasound or MRI. In addition, duplex or triplex scanning is often prescribed.

Only after a comprehensive diagnosisyou can determine the presence of the disease and choose a method of treatment. This disease has many varieties that are treated differently. Therefore, it is important to correctly diagnose.

Features of treatment

Knowing that this is atherosclerosis of the aorta of the heart andwhat ailments have signs, you can timely recognize the symptoms of the disease and contact the doctor for the required treatment. Therapy should be started as early as possible, adhering to such principles as:

• decrease in the intake of cholesterol from food;
• stimulation of its withdrawal and reduction of synthesis;
• elimination of the effects of infections.

An important role is played by diet and proper nutrition, which eliminates the consumption of products containing cholesterol.

Medication

Treatment of atherosclerosis of the heart aorta is carried out withuse of medications. Modern medicines help to eliminate the main signs of atherosclerosis. The patient is prescribed such groups of drugs as:

• statins;
• a nicotinic acid;
• sequestrants;
• fibrates;
• beta-blockers.

Statins help to lower the concentration of cholesterolin the blood by reducing its synthesis in the body. Of the side effects of such drugs can be identified a violation of liver function. Among such drugs you can note "Zokor", "Mecavir", "Pravochol".

Nicotinic acid helps to reduce the level ofharmful cholesterol. Among the most common side effects can be noted vasodilation, redness of the skin, rash, dysfunction of the stomach and intestines.

Bile acid sequestrants promotethe connection of cholesterol with bile acids and the removal of harmful substances from the body. These drugs have very few side effects, which can include nausea, heartburn, constipation, flatulence. Among such medicines it is necessary to allocate "Колесевелам", "Колестипол".

Surgical intervention

Surgical treatment of atherosclerosis of the heart aorta is carried out only in those cases when there is a high risk of a life threat. Carry out such operations as:

• angioplasty;
• bypass surgery;
• replacement of the affected area.

Angioplasty implies the conduct ofreconstruction of the vessels, as a result of which it is possible to restore its lumen. Shunting involves the imposition of a shunt, which helps normalize the disturbed blood flow. If an aneurysm has been detected, an operation is performed to excise it and replace the removed part with synthetic prostheses. Aneurysm rupture is treated only surgically. The operation is carried out only for vital indications.

Folk methods of therapy

A fairly good result can be given by treatmentAtherosclerosis of the heart aorta folk remedies, especially if you start therapy on time and in the absence of concomitant diseases and complications. As a treatment and prevention, you can take vegetable oils strictly on an empty stomach.

There is another recipe. On an empty stomach you need to eat a mixture of vegetable oil, honey and lemon juice. All the ingredients must be taken in equal proportions. A good remedy is the juice of potatoes, which must be taken strictly on an empty stomach. It helps to cure atherosclerosis of red currant juice.

Folk treatment of atherosclerosis of the aorta of the hearthelps to clean the vessels and prevent the occurrence of complications. For the treatment, garlic is used, which can be used as tinctures with red wine or mixtures with nuts, honey, vegetable oil and vegetable juice. Before starting treatment with folk remedies, one should consult a doctor about the safety of the methods used.

Compliance with diet

The diet for atherosclerosis of the aorta of the heart allowsimprove the quality of life, prevent the occurrence of complications. It is necessary to follow the rules of healthy eating and to exclude from your diet such products as:

• food containing a large number of animal fats;
• products containing trans fats;
• eggs;
• refined sugar;
• strong coffee and tea.

In addition, you need to minimize the amount of salt consumed. When leaking atherosclerosis, it is worth giving preference to such foods as:

• vegetables;
• beans;
• fruit;
• low-fat dairy products;
• wholemeal products.

In addition to a balanced diet, it is important to ensure sufficient physical activity to bring your weight back to normal. This is very important to reduce the risk of complications.

What is dangerous disease

Many people have atherosclerosishearts. What to do? This is the first question asked by patients, since this disease is very dangerous for its complications. Formed plaques slow down blood flow from the heart to various organs, as a result of which oxygen starvation of the tissues and nutrient deficiencies can be observed.

A thrombus forms around the plaque, which, if detached, can provoke many complications, including the death of the patient. Atherosclerosis can provoke such complications as:

• stroke;
• the death of some tissues;
• heart dysfunction;
• the formation of trophic ulcers on the limbs and gangrene.

In addition, in men, atherosclerosis canprovoke a violation of sexual activity. Moreover, all these processes are completely irreversible. If you do not carry out treatment on time, then a man can never have children.

Among the frequent complications can be identifiedformation of aneurysm of the thoracic or abdominal region. This pathology is accompanied by the formation of protrusions in the region of the thinned vessels. With a strong growth, you can determine them by palpation.

When aneurysm stratification can be acute bleeding, which leads to the death of the patient.

Preventive measures

To prevent the occurrence of atherosclerosis andin the subsequent dangerous complications, it is necessary to carry out prevention in a timely manner. This is especially important if there is a predisposition to this disease. At the first suspicion of the presence of atherosclerosis, you should immediately consult a doctor for diagnosis. In addition, it is required to undergo a comprehensive examination at least once a year.

A person must abandon all harmfulhabits and properly organize food. It is important to follow all the recommendations of the attending doctor, especially if the patient has diseases that provoke the formation of plaques.

You need to try to protect yourself from stresssituations. Prolonged exposure to anxiety has a detrimental effect on the entire body as a whole, including the functioning of the cardiovascular system.