Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the arteries in the body get lined with a substance called plaque. Plaque is a substance made up of cholesterol, calcium, and other compounds. With time, this plaque hardens, restricting the flow of blood within the arteries, to the heart and the other organs of the body.
While there are many tests available to diagnose this condition, only a severe attack or a heart failure often indicates that this condition existed in the first place, often too late to treat the disease naturally. However, there are some conditions that can lead to atherosclerosis. These conditions are called risk factors for atherosclerosis. If you know that you have these risk factors, it is possible to reverse the condition with a proper diet, an exercise plan, and proper medication.
In this article we will discuss all the possible risk factors for atherosclerosis.
Some of the risk factors for atherosclerosis include:
Of these, some are modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis. This means that you can do something about them. For instance, risk factors such as obesity, poor dietary habits, lack of physical exercise, and smoking, can be modified as they are lifestyle related.
The risk factors for atherosclerosis in children are very similar to those of adults.
In children with atherosclerosis, their vascular age is much more, resulting in premature deaths and heart failure.
The best treatment option for atherosclerosis is a drastic change in lifestyle. Some of the things that you can do to prevent atherosclerosis, not caused due to hereditary disease, are listed below.
When it comes to atherosclerosis, prevention is not only better but also easier than the cure. Cutting down on fatty foods, eating healthy and including a bit of exercise in our daily lives can go a long way to help prevent this condition from becoming serious. A routine check-up with your doctor or a cardiologist is also equally important.
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