Atherosclerosis can start at a very young age. Atherosclerotic changes, consisting in the deposition of atherosclerotic plaques in the vessels, occur in everyone, but in varying severity. That's why we all need to prevent atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosisis so common that doctors sometimes wonder if it is simply an inherent part of aging. But the fact that there are eighty-year-olds with very slightsymptoms of atherosclerosiscontradicts this thesis. Advanced atherosclerotic lesions were discovered in young, only 18 or 19-year-old American soldiers in Vietnam, and even in newborns. These reports show that factors other than age play an important role in the development ofatherosclerosis . We debunk a few myths related to atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis does not affect young people
That's not true. The results of research conducted among children in highly developed countries are intimidating. Atherosclerotic changes are detected among 10-15-year-olds. This is clearly related to the poor nutrition of children and adolescents (fast food, crisps, sweets, sweetened carbonated drinks and energy drinks) and to the increasingly sedentary lifestyle of the youngest.
Women until menopause protect estrogens from atherosclerosis
It turned out that the protective role of estrogens is not as great as it was supposed. Due to the change in women's lifestyle, the widespread smoking of tobacco and more frequent drinking of strong alcohols and other stimulants, as well as living in severe chronic stress, rush and overwork, estrogens are powerless. Women suffer from atherosclerotic changes earlier and suffer heart attacks and strokes. With this lifestyle, you can't count on an estrogen umbrella.
Atherosclerosis develops only in the coronary vessels
Nothing could be more wrong! Atherosclerotic lesions occur in all the vessels - arteries - that supply various organs and parts of the body. The same applies to the coronary vessels that supply the heart as does the carotid arteries that carry blood to the brain and the arteries that supply blood to the legs. Lower limb ischemia is a common disorder associated with atherosclerosis. A signal of such troubles are easily freezing feet, which they often complain aboutwomen.
Cholesterol is not the main cause of atherosclerosis
High cholesterol in the body contributes to the formation of atherosclerotic lesions - so far, the medical world has not withdrawn this opinion. On the other hand, other factors responsible for the development of atherosclerotic processes have been found: these are the processes taking place in the vessel walls that lead to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, which have not been fully investigated yet. They consist of abnormal cholesterol metabolism and damage to the epithelium of the vessel walls. It was found that the development of atherosclerotic lesions is influenced by disturbances in the functioning of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands and pancreas, as well as hypothalamus and pituitary gland. It can be said that not only the diet but also the overall balance of the body can liberate or protect us from atherosclerotic changes.