Atherosclerosis

Coming from the Greek words athero (meaning gruel or paste) and sclerosis (hardness), atherosclerosis involves deposits of fatty substances cholesterol, cellular waste products, and other substances in the artery's inner lining. Called "plague," this buildup usually affects both large and medium-sized arteries.

Atherosclerosis starts as early as childhood. A slow and complex disease, it often progresses as people age. In some people though the progress is more rapid and happens even in their twenty's.

Scientists believe this disease begins with damage to the innermost layer of the artery, called endothelium. Damage to this arterial wall are caused mainly by three things:

- Increased levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood
- High blood pressure and
- Tobacco smoke

Research shows that males and those with a family history of premature cardiovascular disease have a greater risk of astherosclerosis. Unfortunately, these risk factors cannot be controlled. However, reducing the controllable risk factors for atherosclerosis prove to be beneficial. These controllable risk factors include:

- High bllod pressure
- Cigarette smoking / exposure to tobacco smoke
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes mellitus
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity

Tobacco smoke contributes to the worsening of atherosclerosis. It also speeds its growth in the coronary arteries, the aorta and arteries in the legs. Damage to the endothelium cause fats, cholesterol, platelets, cellular debris, calcium and other substances that bring about the further buildup of cells. These cells and the surrounding material then may increase in mass, enough to thicken the endothelium. This results in a shrink in the artery's diameter, decreasing blood flow and consequently reducing oxygen supply.