Abdominal aortic atherosclerosis is one of the most common forms of arteriosclerosis or artery hardening. It is a medical term caused by the plaque built inside a large blood vessel wall known as the aorta, also known as artery hardening. The condition can be visible in any of the body’s blood vessels, which is the reason for coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease and stroke.

Arteries are the minor vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients throughout the body from the heart. As you get old fasts, calcium and cholesterol collect in the arteries to create plaque. The plaque buildup makes blood flow difficult through arteries. Plaque can build up in arteries anywhere in the body.

The plaque builds up, resulting in blood shortage of oxygen and blood in various body tissues. Plaque pieces break off, resulting in blood clots. It may cause heart failure, heart attack, stroke, and other serious diseases.

Studies show that an increased level of abdominal atherosclerosis is linked to an 80% risk increase for a cardiovascular event that may lead to life-threatening conditions or even death.

Is abdominal aorta atherosclerosis serious?

Abdominal atherosclerosis of the aorta can cause a life-threatening condition. The condition occurs when an embolus (a part of plaque) breaks from the plaque and travels through the arteries, which may block blood flow from that place.

Is abdominal aorta atherosclerosis common?

Reports show that 69.3% patients of with atherosclerotic plaque are at the distal portion of the abdominal aorta. The plaque’s existence increases with age. The forms of the plaques calcified at 24%, mixed at 43% and soft at 3%.

Can healthcare providers remove plaque from the abdominal aorta?

In certain cases, when the blockage increases up to the aorta level, the healthcare provider opens the aorta to remove plaque completely. The surgeon will suture close the aorta without the patch restoring the blood flow through the normal path.

Can you live with atherosclerosis?

Building up plaque takes away many years of life, especially for people with complications. For example, a heart attack may take around 16 years of life.

Can we reverse aortic atherosclerosis?

You cannot reverse aortic atherosclerosis, but you can stop it from worsening and stabilize the plaque. Use proper medical treatment, dietary changes and regular exercise.

Common symptoms of atherosclerosis

The major symptoms of atherosclerosis include

• Abdominal aching or pain.
• Leg, arm pain or pain at the place of artery blockage.
• ankle sprains
• Stabbing sharp feeling in the stomach.
• Pain around and within the navel.
• The lower level of blood pressure
• Fast Pulse.
• Breath shortening.
• The confusion occurs as a side effect of the blood circulation to the brain.
• Loss of sensory function or motor on one body side.
• Muscular weakness

Common factors that cause atherosclerosis

Common factors that can cause artery hardening are

• High cholesterol level.
• An unhealthy diet or consuming foods with saturated sugar or higher salt levels.
• Ageing
• Drugs, smoking or alcohol

Diagnosis for atherosclerosis.

Like other health conditions, the diagnosis starts with a physical examination. The healthcare provider may check

• Pulse rate (either it is high or low)
• An abnormal bulging, an aneurysm or artery widening because of arterial wall weakness.
• The slow process of wound healing.
• The blood creates a whooshing sound or a bruit while travelling through the blocked artery.

Its tests may include

• A blood test to verify the cholesterol level in the blood.
• A Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to make an artery picture. It creates the blocked artery image.
• An ankle-brachial index.
• Magnetic resonance angiography
• Cardiac angiogram
• An Electrocardiogram
• A stress test or a test for exercise tolerance.

Treatment for abdominal atherosclerosis.

Statins in the body minimize cholesterol and enhance artery health, preventing atherosclerosis. Your healthcare provider suggests a healthy lifestyle change as an important factor for the treatment.

Several forms of cholesterol-decreasing medications include niacin, bile acid sequestrants and fibrates. Patients require one or a combination of cholesterol drugs. Other medications include

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors that lower blood pressure.
• Beta-blockers are helpful in “resting” your heart.
• Antiplatelet drugs like aspirin prevent blood clotting or artery clogging.

Surgery

Surgery is usually the last option to treat any severe condition. In cases where a skin tissue or muscle is in danger, surgery becomes a necessity. Possible types of surgeries include

Bypass surgery

It involves replacing the narrow or blocked artery with an artery from another body part, or the surgeon may use a synthetic tube.

Thrombolytic therapy

The procedure involves injecting a drug into the affected artery and dissolving the blood clotting.

Angioplasty

Percutaneous coronary intervention or angioplasty involves using a balloon and a catheter to expand the artery so that the blood clot or plaque can flow through this artery. The surgeon can insert a stent as well to keep the artery working.

Atherectomy

The procedure involves plaque removal from the arteries in which surgeons use a catheter with a sharp edge blade at the end.

Endarterectomy

It involves removing fat deposits from the artery through the surgical process.

Healthy lifestyle changes that can help you in preventing atherosclerosis

The significant lifestyle changes include

• Taking a healthy diet with a lower level of cholesterol and saturated fats.
• Avoid foods with the high level of fats.
• Add fish to your diet.
• Exercise for 75 to 150 minutes each week.
• Quit smoking.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Manage stress

Treat those conditions that may add to atherosclerosis, like hypertension, sleep apnea, obesity, high cholesterol, and diabetes.

Conclusion

While adopting a healthy lifestyle can have a positive impact on your overall health and may treat atherosclerosis. You must avoid smoking, drugs or alcohol or excessive caffeine. The success level of the treatment depends on

• The severity of the condition
• Is it treated promptly?
• Are the organs affected?

Although you cannot reverse artery hardening but can treat the underlying reason, you can slow down the process of atherosclerosis. You must discuss with your healthcare provider to adopt appropriate lifestyle changes. Your healthcare provider will help you take medications properly to prevent worsening conditions and avoid complications.