Introduction
The development of arteriosclerosis is caused by various factors and can therefore be described as multifactorial. Some of these risks cannot be influenced by oneself, such as age, family history or specific lipid metabolism disorders, which can also be hereditary. However, the majority of risks can be significantly influenced by one’s own behavior. Lifestyle plays an absolutely essential role. For example, giving up smoking, moderate physical exercise, stress reduction and optimal treatment of existing diseases can massively improve the prognosis and slow down the progression.
These are the most important risk factors
Smoking Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) Arterial hypertension (high blood pressure) Hyperlipoproteinemia (elevated blood lipids) Age (men over 45 years; women over 55 years) Obesity (overweight) Family history (early heart attacks/strokes in 1st degree relatives) Hyperhomocysteinemia (elevated blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine)
- Smoking
- Diabetes mellitus (diabetes)
- Arterial hypertension (high blood pressure)
- Hyperlipoproteinemia (increased blood lipids)
- Age (men from 45 years; women from 55 years)
- Adiposity (overweight)
- Family history (early heart attacks/strokes in 1st degree relatives)
- Hyperhomocysteinemia (increased blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine)
By definition, overweight exists from a BMI (Body Mass Index) of over 25 kg/m2, whereby the so-called obesity begins with a BMI over 30 kg/m2. Since the BMI is only of limited significance depending on the composition of the body, the abdominal girth can also be measured. High blood pressure is one of the most important risk factors both for the development and progression of arteriosclerosis.
Likewise high blood pressure is considered a high risk for all associated secondary diseases such as strokes, heart attacks, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, etc. An optimal blood pressure setting is essential to avoid the consequences of arteriosclerosis. Depending on the severity of the condition, this can be achieved by a change in lifestyle and/or with medication.
This might also be of interest to you: Therapy of hypertensionDiabetes mellitus causes permanent and lasting damage to both the small and large blood vessels through elevated blood sugar levels. In 80% of diabetics, arteriosclerotic diseases are the cause of death. It is therefore essential that blood sugar levels are well adjusted to avoid or at least minimize long-term damage.
This can be achieved with a diabetes mellitus type II if necessary by sufficient co-operation of the patient with the help of increased movement and change of diet. If this is not sufficient, treatment with tablets and/or insulin preparations can be used. Smoking is one of the main risk factors for arteriosclerosis and damages the vessels in many ways.
A man who smokes 10 cigarettes a day, for example, has a 20% higher risk of dying of cardiovascular disease or vascular disease. Women even have a 30% higher risk. Since stopping smoking is not easy, there are numerous support programs that the family doctor can advise on.
Stress is also a recognized, important risk factor for the development and progression of arteriosclerosis. A reduction is to be aimed at absolutely. Since this is difficult in many cases, there are various offers from which to choose.
One example is autogenic training (certain relaxation methods) or yoga. Elevated blood fat levels are an important risk factor, whereby the constellation of too high LDL (“bad” cholesterol) and too low HDL (“good” cholesterol) in particular has a negative influence. How strongly one should lower the LDL depends on which basic illnesses the patient has and how the individual risk for subsequent illnesses is.
Also too high values of the so-called triglycerides (neutral fats) are unfavorable regarding arteriosclerosis. The so-called lipoprotein A is also a component of blood lipids and has a structure similar to LDL cholesterol. An increase is also associated with an increased risk of secondary diseases of arteriosclerosis.Gout occurs when an elevated uric acid level in the blood causes discomfort (pain, inflammation) due to deposits in the joints.
Like many other rheumatic diseases, gout is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases and vascular disorders. Hyperhomocysteinemia is an increased level of the amino acid homocysteine in the blood. An increase can be triggered on the one hand by genetic changes and thus, for example, slower breakdown.
However, a lifestyle with increased alcohol consumption, smoking, lack of exercise etc. also leads to this increase. This increased value is associated with an increased risk of the secondary diseases of arteriosclerosis.
Women have certain advantages in the development of arteriosclerosis due to the higher oestrogen level. Men are affected earlier and more frequently. However, during and after menopause, women again have an increased risk due to the drop in estrogen levels.
