For: Arteriosclerosis or Atherosclerosis
An arteriosclerosis screening can help to detect pressure on your arteries that restrict adequate blood flow to your organs. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are flexible, strong and elastic. Over time, however, too much pressure in your arteries can make the walls thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues. This process is called arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, which can be detected in an arteriosclerosis screening.
Pieces of plaque, fat or cholesterol buildup on the inside of arteries, can break off and move through the affected artery to smaller blood vessels, blocking them and causing tissue damage or death. This is a common cause of heart attack and stroke. Blood clots can also form in the plaque leading to blocked blood flow. If the clot moves into an artery in the heart, lungs, or brain, it can cause a stroke or heart attack. In some cases, atherosclerotic plaque is associated with a weakening of the wall of an artery which can lead to an aneurysm. If you are at risk, a regular arteriosclerosis screening will help you stay healthy and prevent blood clots and other health risks associated with arteriosclerosis. Learn more about other health conditions that can be targeted early through HealthFair screenings today.
What are the Warning Signs of arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease that may begin as early as childhood. Although the exact cause is unknown, atherosclerosis may start with damage or injury to the inner layer of an artery.
Once the inner wall of an artery is damaged, blood cells called platelets often clump at the injury site to try to repair the artery, leading to inflammation. Over time, fatty deposits (plaques) and other cellular waste products build up at the site of the injury and harden, which narrows your arteries. The organs and tissues connected to these blocked arteries then don't receive enough blood to function properly.
Eventually pieces of the fatty deposits may rupture and enter your bloodstream. This can cause a blood clot to form and damage your organs, as in a heart attack. A blood clot can also travel to other parts of your body and block blood flow to another organ.
Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis develops gradually. Mild atherosclerosis usually doesn't have any symptoms.
You usually won't have atherosclerosis symptoms until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can't supply adequate blood to your organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely blocks blood flow, or even breaks apart and can trigger a heart attack or stroke.
How do I know if I’m At Risk?
Some of the risk factors for arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are:
Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis can affect many different organ systems, including the heart, lungs, brain, intestines, kidneys, and limbs
Prevention:
As with most heart and circulatory system problems, your risk of developing arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis lessens with a healthy lifestyle. Some of the key factors in maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle are:
If you have any of the above risk factors, then get screened today!