Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood rich in oxygen throughout your body. They go to your brain as well as to the tip of your toes. Healthy arteries have smooth inner walls and blood flows through them easily. Some people, however, develop clogged arteries. Clogged arteries result from a build-up of a substance called plaque on the inner walls of the arteries.
All these can result to low blood flow or in some instances block it altogether. Furthermore, clogged arteries greatly increase the chances of heart attack, stroke, and even death. Due to these dangers, it’s important to be aware of the causes of artery plaque and treatment strategies from a reputable heart doctor Singapore. Read on to find out more!
What Causes Arterial Plaque?
Plaque that accumulates on the inner walls of your arteries is made from various substances that circulate in your blood. These include calcium, fat, cholesterol, cellular waste, and fibrin, a material involved in blood clotting.
In response to plaque build-up, cells in your artery walls multiply and secrete additional substances that can worsen the state of clogged arteries. As plaque deposits increases, a condition known as atherosclerosis results.
This condition causes the arteries to narrow and harden. Although experts are yet to know what starts this condition, it seems to root from damage to the lining of the arterial wall. This damage which enables deposition if plaque and may result from some factors. Note that plaque often starts to develop during childhood or teenage years, then clogged arteries develop in middle age or later.
Possible Dangers of Arterial Plaque and Clogged Arteries
An experienced heart doctor Singapore will tell you that it all depends on where arterial plaque accumulates. Clogged arteries in different parts of the body can lead to multiple medical conditions. Such conditions include: coronary artery disease which can cause chest pains or shortness of breath. Theses condition can result to heart attacks and it is the leading cause of death in many states.
Another condition is carotid artery disease where accumulation of plaque in the carotid arteries can lead to stroke. Finally, the peripheral artery disease which is caused by reduction of oxygen if the plaque builds in blood vessels. No wonder you should always know the symptoms of blocked arteries to avoid late diagnosis.
Fortunately, there are a variety of prevention and treatment options for clogged arteries. What your heart doctor Singapore prescribes to reduce arterial plaque will depend on the severity of your condition and medical history.
