¿Qué es la arteriosclerosis?
La arteriosclerosis es una condición en la que las arterias, los vasos sanguíneos responsables de transportar oxígeno y nutrientes desde el corazón al cuerpo, se endurecen o se vuelven más gruesas y menos flexibles. A menudo es causada por la acumulación de depósitos ricos en lípidos y grasas, conocidos como placa, a lo largo de las paredes de las arterias, lo que reduce el flujo de sangre rica en oxígeno a los órganos y tejidos.
Arteriosclerosis develops gradually and often causes no symptoms until you have complications. The condition puts you at higher risk for heart attack, strokes and many types of heart and vascular conditions. However, treatments may reduce plaque, and adopting healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent the condition from developing.
Es importante tener en cuenta que, en lo que respecta al diagnóstico y tratamiento de la arteriosclerosis, esta es información general, y debe seguir las pautas e instrucciones específicas que le ha dado su médico.
Tipos de arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis is an umbrella term for three conditions that cause hardening of the arteries. Each type affects different arteries in different ways.
Atherosclerosis is the most common type. It occurs when plaque builds up in medium-sized and large arteries throughout the body. Atherosclerosis has different names depending on which arteries are affected. These include carotid artery disease (neck arteries providing blood to the brain), Enfermedad de la arteria coronaria (heart arteries) and peripheral artery disease (usually in leg arteries). Other types of atherosclerosis affect arteries leading to the kidneys, back of the brain and intestines.
Los otros dos tipos de arteriosclerosis son:
- Arteriolosclerosis: This is hardening of small arteries called arterioles. It often develops in people with high blood pressure or diabetes and commonly affects the kidneys.
- Mönckeberg arteriosclerosis: This usually harmless condition occurs when calcium builds up in small to medium-sized arteries, causing them to harden but not narrow.
Factores de riesgo de arteriosclerosis
Muchos factores diferentes pueden contribuir a la arteriosclerosis. Algunos factores de riesgo están bajo su control, pero otros, como su edad, son cosas que no puede cambiar. A medida que envejece, aumenta su riesgo de desarrollar arteriosclerosis. Además, es más probable que los hombres que las mujeres tengan la enfermedad. Pero al realizar cambios en su estilo de vida saludable, puede ayudar a reducir su riesgo.
Los factores de riesgo para la arteriosclerosis incluyen:
- Age: The risk of arteriosclerosis increases with age.
- Family history: Your risk is higher if you have a close male family member who developed the condition before age 55 or a close female relative who was diagnosed before 65.
- Smoking: Tobacco causes arteries to narrow and may damage artery walls. It also affects cholesterol and increases clotting activity in the blood.
- Colesterol alto: High levels of LDL-C, or “bad” cholesterol, can cause damage to arteries.
- Alta presion sanguinea: Long-term high pressure in arteries can cause damage that leads to arteriosclerosis.
- Diabetes mellitus: High blood sugar can lead to arteriolosclerosis and greatly increase the risk for atherosclerosis.
- Obesity: Having a higher weight increases the risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes, all risk factors for arteriosclerosis.
- Sedentary lifestyle: A lack of physical activity increases the risk for coronary arteriosclerosis.
- Unhealthy diet: Eating fatty foods and not enough fruits and vegetables increases the risk for coronary artery disease.
