Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis (atherosclerosis) is a process in which the walls of your arteries thicken due to calcification. This thickening can lead to narrowing of the blood vessel and cause problems with the blood flow to organs and tissues.

Arteriosclerosis can eventually lead to cardiovascular diseases, such as a heart attack, angina pectoris, An stroke, An TIA or peripheral vascular disease (window shopper's legs). 

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Symptoms

The symptoms you may experience depend on the location of the atherosclerosis:

• Coronary arteries of the heart: a crushing pain in the middle of the chest, radiating to the jaw or left arm. Frequent sweating, nausea, and clammy.
• Large carotid arteries: a stroke or TIA manifests as neurological deficits (hemiplegia) or difficulty speaking, drooping mouth.
• Leg arteries: pain in the legs when walking that goes away when you rest for a while.  

Causes

There are a number of factors that increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis. The most important are:

• Smoking.
• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Diabetes (diabetes).
• Overweight.
• Familial predisposition (if cardiovascular disease occurs in family members).

Examination and diagnosis

There are several tests with which we can diagnose atherosclerosis:

• Duplex examinationA duplex examination is a combination of ultrasound and color Doppler. For ultrasound, we use high-frequency sound waves. Color Doppler measures the blood flow velocity. With a duplex examination, we can determine the location and severity of the narrowing.
• Walking test: a short walking test combined with blood pressure measurements on the arm and ankle. Based on a walking test, the doctor can determine whether you have a narrowing or blockage of the large or medium-sized arteries in your legs.
• Exercise ECG: During an exercise electrocardiogram (ECG), we measure the electrical activity of your heart during increasing exertion. We perform this test to determine whether you experience heart complaints or heart rhythm disorders during exertion.

Treatment

The final treatment depends on the number of risk factors present and the severity of the atherosclerosis. Possible treatment:

• Angioplasty With or without stent placement: angioplasty is the widening of the vein using a small balloon. Sometimes we also place a stent afterwards. A stent is a type of metal spring (metal mesh) that provides extra support to the vessel wall. It prevents the vein from springing back after angioplasty.
• Medicines, such as blood thinners, blood pressure reducers, and cholesterol reducers.
• Bypass.
• Thrombolysis, the dissolution of an acute blockage with medication.
• Supervised running training. 

Preventing arteriosclerosis

Preventing cardiovascular disease is easier than treating it. Living a healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of (severe) narrowing of the arteries. Living a healthy lifestyle means:

• maintaining a healthy weight;
• varied and healthy eating (enough fruit/vegetables);
• get enough exercise (at least half an hour a day, somewhat strenuous);
• no smoking;
• Moderate alcohol consumption (men a maximum of 2 glasses per day, women a maximum of 1 glass per day).

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More information

There are various websites with reliable information about cardiovascular diseases. We recommend the following websites:

• Heart Foundation
• Heart Council
• Brain Foundation

Vascular Surgery Outpatient Clinic

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What is associated with this clinical picture

• Vascular Surgery Outpatient Clinic
• Vascular Surgery Ward (D4 East)
• Specialty Vascular Surgery

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