Atheromatous aortic disease arises when fat plaques form in the aortic artery, which is the main blood vessel in the body. Thus, this disease is a type of arteriosclerosis that impedes the good blood circulation and can cause problems like heart attack and stroke.
Aortic atheromatosis affects mainly men over 50 and women after menopause, and their treatment is done according to the severity of the problem and surgery may be necessary.
Symptoms
The symptoms of aortic atheromatosis arise only when the blood vessel is heavily obstructed and vary according to the region of the aorta that has been affected.
When this happens, symptoms such as walking pain, erectile dysfunction, decreased muscle strength and the amount of hair on the leg can arise.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of aortic atheromatosis is made through the patient's clinical history, the evaluation of the presence of diseases such as high cholesterol and hypertension, and of tests such as electrocardiogram, ultrasonography, Doppler examination, arteriography and blood examination.
Treatment
The treatment of this disease is made through changes in diet, physical activity and use of medications that help control cholesterol, pressure and diabetes. In cases of being overweight, weight loss is recommended to decrease the risk of complications such as stroke and thrombosis.
In addition, in more severe cases it may be necessary to undergo surgery to remove fat plaques from the artery or do the saphenous bridge, which improves blood circulation in the affected region. See more about treatment here.
Who can have
Risk factors that favor the development of aortic atheromatosis are the same as those related to atherosclerosis, such as:
- Family history of arteriosclerosis;
- High pressure;
- Cholesterol and high triglycerides;
- Diabetes;
- Lack of physical activity;
- Age greater than 50 years.
It is important to remember that usually this disease begins to develop in young adults and it gets worse over time. In addition, it may also occur in children with a family history of high cholesterol and being overweight.
See more tips to avoid complications in:
- Home remedy for atherosclerosis
- 7 Tips to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Attack and Stroke
