Non-stenotic Arterial Atherosclerosis - Symptoms And Treatment

2024 Author: Josephine Shorter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-07 17:49

Non-stenotic arterial atherosclerosis

Due to the not always correct lifestyle of a modern person, he becomes more susceptible to various diseases. The cause of atherosclerosis can be an unbalanced diet, lack of physical activity, hereditary factors and the harmful influence of the external environment. This pathology can have a stenosing and non-stenosing form. What is it and what are the differences between them? Let's figure it out.

What is non-stenotic arterial atherosclerosis?

Non-stenotic atherosclerosis of the arteries is a disease in which the formation of cholesterol plaques on the inner surface of the vessels occurs, but the deposits practically do not slow down the blood flow. These plaques have an elongated shape and are localized along the surface of the arteries, which is the main distinguishing feature from the stenosing form of atherosclerosis, in which calcifications grow into the lumen of the vessels and significantly impede blood flow.

Cholesterol plaque is a deposit of lipid tissue that becomes harder over time due to calcium deposition on its surface. With non-stenotic atherosclerosis, the formation can block the lumen of the vessel by no more than half.

This pathology begins to develop at a fairly young age and is asymptomatic for a long time, and only with progression can it manifest itself as a pathology of an organ that lacks nutrients due to poor blood circulation. This usually happens after 50 years.

Content:

• Disease symptoms
• Causes of the disease
• Diagnostics
• Treatment of non-stenotic arterial atherosclerosis

Symptoms of non-stenotic arterial atherosclerosis

The clinical picture of this disease depends on the location of the cholesterol plaques:

• If the brachycephalic arteries, which predominantly nourish the cells of the brain, are damaged, weakness, dizziness may develop with a sharp movement of the head, a change in body position or a decrease in blood pressure, visual impairment in the form of "flies" before the eyes. This is explained by the fact that at reduced pressure, blood cannot flow to the brain through a vessel narrowed by a plaque. As a result, he suffers from a lack of nutrients and reacts in this way to this factor;
• It is also possible the appearance of tinnitus, numbness of the hands and feet for a short period;
• The characteristic signs of non-stenotic atherosclerosis in the early stages can be considered frequent attacks of headache, which are not relieved after taking painkillers. The person becomes distracted, it is difficult for him to concentrate attention;
• In addition, the patient is constantly tormented by a feeling of lack of sleep, drowsiness, and fatigue.

If any symptom appears, you should go to the doctor to determine the cause, because if the arteries are completely blocked, blood will stop flowing to the brain, as a result of which a stroke will occur.

Causes of the disease

The main reason for the development of this pathology is a violation of lipid metabolism in the body, which can be triggered by the following factors:

• Hypertonic disease;
• Obesity;
• Addiction to alcohol, smoking;
• High blood cholesterol;
• Constant stress;
• Genetic predisposition;
• Previously transferred infectious diseases;
• Pathological processes in the endocrine glands.

Any of these reasons does not mean that atherosclerosis will definitely develop in you, however, the listed factors, especially in combination, increase the risk of atherosclerosis several times.

Diagnostics

To establish a diagnosis of "non-stenotic atherosclerosis", the patient is prescribed instrumental diagnostic methods such as ultrasound and Doppler studies. They allow you to get as much information as possible about the vessels.

When examined with a Doppler, the doctor can see the degree of narrowing of the arteries, the exact location of the cholesterol plaques, the state of the vascular walls. Also, this method makes it possible to determine the speed of blood flow. All these indicators determine the patient's further treatment plan.

In addition, the patient needs to take a blood test to determine the level of cholesterol.

Treatment of non-stenotic arterial atherosclerosis

Only an integrated approach can give a good effect. As a rule, the non-stenotic form of atherosclerosis is treated conservatively. This allows the patient to lead a normal life.

Therapy for this pathology is aimed at normalizing cholesterol levels, correcting diet, sleep patterns and activity, and taking certain medications.

Let's analyze each stage in more detail:

• Statins. To balance the amount of lipids in the blood, your doctor may prescribe special drugs called statins. They block the production of cholesterol by the liver. For the same purpose, the patient needs to revise his diet. More on statins and fibrates;
• Diet. With non-stenotic atherosclerosis, the use of animal fats is not allowed, it is necessary to limit the amount of sugar and salt. Eliminate confectionery, white bread, smoked meats, canned foods, strong coffee and tea, carbonated drinks, alcohol from your diet. More about permitted and prohibited products for atherosclerosis;
• Bad habits. It is worth quitting smoking and alcohol. It is necessary to properly organize the mode of activity and rest. In addition, physical activity should be increased. This can be long walks in the fresh air, slow jogging, swimming, morning exercises. What exactly you choose for yourself depends only on your individual wishes;
• Medicines. From medication, anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents can be prescribed, acetylsalicylic acid is often prescribed. If the pathology has developed against the background of hypertension, if necessary, the doctor recommends taking medications to lower blood pressure and diuretics. List of drugs to improve brain function;

Read more: Drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis

During treatment, you will need to periodically donate blood to determine the level of cholesterol.

Non-stenotic atherosclerosis is an insidious disease. But if you listen carefully to your body, you will be able to detect it in time and treat it.

The author of the article: Volkov Dmitry Sergeevich | c. m. n. surgeon, phlebologist

Education: Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry (1996). In 2003 he received a diploma from the Educational and Scientific Medical Center of the Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation.