What Are the Causes of Arterial Sclerosis?

Arterial sclerosis is a major health concern that affects all developed countries on an international basis. Knowing the causes of this disease, what to look for, and what to do to change one's lifestyle will all play a part in determining the possibility of an individual being afflicted.

Facts

• Arterial sclerosis is medically defined as a disease that hardens, or decreases the elasticity of, an artery. An artery is a blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart. Arteries of all sizes, anywhere in the body, can be affected by arterial sclerosis. Arterial sclerosis is caused by an injury from continuous stress put on the artery. Risk factors for the disease include heredity, environment and diet.

Types

• There are two causes of arterial sclerosis: risk and diet. Risk factors include a family history of arterial sclerosis, high levels of homocysteine (an amino acid) in the body, high cholesterol levels, tobacco usage in any form (cigarettes, cigars, chewing), high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and lack of physical activity. Diet factors causing arterial sclerosis include lack of fresh fruits and vegetables, high-fat protein, saturated fats and drinking large amounts of alcohol.

Significance

• The causes of arterial sclerosis are important to know, since this affliction can result in complications including kidney failure, leg cramps, gangrene, heart failure, angina, stroke and pulmonary problems, among other health problems. Individuals can lower their own chances of being affected by this disease simply by becoming aware of its causes and how they affect the body and altering their life style. Arterial sclerosis is a leading cause of death and illness among developed countries.

Considerations

• Remember that arterial sclerosis can exist throughout the body without any obvious symptoms. In many cases, the disease develops over time from physical stresses such as high blood pressure, inflammatory stresses involving the immune system or chemical stresses such as diabetes. You may consider having preventive tests done as an aid to detecting arterial sclerosis.

Time Frame

• The onset of arterial sclerosis can either be gradual or sudden, depending upon the location in the body of the blockage and how blocked the artery is. When it involves the narrowing of the arteries, it happens gradually over the years as a result of the causes negatively affecting the body's functioning. Plaque has slowly been attaching itself to the arterial walls until, finally, the individual experiences an aneurysm or blockage. Other times there is a sudden blockage due to the splitting open of plaques that cause the artery to block.