In the article, we will consider what it is - atherosclerosis of the aorta of the heart. Symptoms of this pathology will also be described.
A sedentary lifestyle along with malnutrition causes diseases of various organs. In particular, the human body suffers greatly from eating foods rich in cholesterol, since atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries develops because of this. How to cope with such an ailment?
Atherosclerotic changes can affect any large vessels, including the abdominal aorta. The total share of such a pathology among all types of atherosclerotic changes is no more than 20% of the total number. Those who experience atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta sometimes do not suspect that this is as dangerous a pathological change as, for example, atherosclerosis of the arteries of the head. Meanwhile, the problem of atherosclerotic transformations in this large artery can lead to a number of negative consequences.
The essence of pathology
Atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta is characterized by a violation of lipid metabolism, which causes the deposition of cholesterol plaques on the vascular walls. After a while, they calcify, the lumen becomes clogged, and blood flow deteriorates. Atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta can be characterized by a decrease in the elasticity of the walls of the vessels.
It should be noted that the aorta is the largest vessel in the body, divided into two parts: the abdominal and thoracic. The vascular diameter is very large, and therefore the disease is determined in 95% of cases in elderly patients.
What are the symptoms of aortic atherosclerosis? About it below.
The aorta is the largest part of the circulatory system, supplying vital organs with the necessary amount of fluid, oxygen and nutrients. Since her inner diameter is large enough, for the progression of atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta requires more time than the development of diseases of other vessels. Therefore, in 95% of cases, the pathology is diagnosed in deeply elderly people.
Vascular obstruction is accompanied by ischemia, due to which the signs of pathology can be identified in the process of diagnosis.
Causes of the disease
Calcined atherosclerotic plaques of the abdominal region of the aorta appear due to impaired fat metabolism. High density lipoproteins are replaced in the blood with substances of reduced density, which becomes the main reason for the formation of plaques on the vascular walls. As soon as the aortic lumen overlaps by 70%, the development of coronary heart disease is noted. The main causes of atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries are:
- hereditary predisposition;
- endocrine system diseases;
- lack of physical activity;
- infectious diseases;
- obesity;
- the presence of bad habits;
- chronic overstrain of the nervous system;
- excessive intake of fatty foods.
Any of these items can cause severe impairment of fat metabolism, which will lead to atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta. If it is completely blocked, the organs will die, and the patient will die.
Pathology classification
There are three types of classification of atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta. The first system is based on the clinical features of the pathology, it is determined by the level of ischemic disorders.
The following types of vascular obstruction are distinguished:
- Low occlusion. Bifurcation of the peritoneal aorta is noted.
- Medium occlusion. Diagnosed in patients with proximal aortic blockage.
- High occlusion. There is a violation of vascular patency below the localization of the renal arteries.
- In hospitals, when diagnosing atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries, specialists most often use the Fontaine classification, in which four stages of the disease are distinguished.
- Preclinical stage. The disease does not manifest itself, instrumental analysis does not give positive results. The body has a normal concentration of lipids. In the process of a chemical blood test, it is possible to determine an increase in the number of betalipoproteins, as well as hypercholesterolemia, which confirms the patient's predisposition to the development of atherosclerosis. It is advisable to take measures for prevention.
- Latent stage. Determine changes in the physical condition of the artery by instrumental analysis. If, against the background of hemodynamic function disorders, abnormalities in fat metabolism are diagnosed, then the patient determines atherosclerosis.
- Clinical nonspecific manifestations. In this case, the patient has ischemic disorders of the organs, as well as pain in sleep and at rest. This stage of pathology can be determined using instrumental examination.
- The appearance of trophic disorders and chronic arterial occlusion. Ischemia of vessels and adjacent organs in the area of plaque lesion is diagnosed. Also, patients are diagnosed with tissue fibrotic changes.
Disease complications
Approximately 95% of patients do not know what complications appear with atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta, if there is no timely diagnosis.
With severe vascular blockage, the inflammatory process of the peritoneal organs develops. The patient's condition suddenly worsens, the intensity of pain increases.
If hospitalization is delayed, gangrene of the lower extremities may appear, which leads to the death of a person. The most dangerous complications for human life are renal ischemia and insufficiency, as well as strokes.
Symptoms of the disease
Atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta in 95% of cases is manifested by severe and moderate pain, which can be localized in various parts of the peritoneum.
In addition, the symptoms of peritoneal aortic atherosclerosis include:
- weight loss;
- problems in the functioning of the intestines.
The signs of atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and therapy can be determined only in a medical facility. It is not recommended to conduct self-diagnosis and strive to get rid of the manifestations of the disease through drugs that stimulate the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as painkillers, as this will cause difficulties in the diagnosis of vascular obstruction.
Pain intensity
The intensity of the pain syndrome increases with pathology. If the specialist has not made a diagnosis, the patient may be assigned a diagnostic operation to determine the source of pain.
Non-stenotic atherosclerosis is characterized by a change in the vessel wall. Traditional pain in the usual form of the disease does not occur. The patient instead experiences numbness and weakness in the legs and arms, as well as tinnitus. Dizziness occurs more often. For some patients, a decrease in the speed of blood flow without physical manifestations is characteristic.
Diagnostic Features
Before starting treatment for atherosclerosis of the aortic arteries, its presence should be determined. The patient, due to severe gastrointestinal disorders, is referred to a gastroenterologist. A specialist in 70% of cases does not find a problem, the patient is sent for a thorough examination.
To determine abnormal blood flow to the abdominal organs, the patient is given:
- FGS (gastroscopy);
- Ultrasound
- analysis of lipid blood spectrum;
- examination of the level of blood coagulability;
- duplex scanning of the abdominal aorta;
- aortoangiography.
Thanks to duplex scanning, atherosclerosis of the peritoneal cavity can be determined at an early stage. Another effective diagnostic method is angiography. Such techniques allow the specialist to confirm the diagnosis.
Elderly people rarely realize how dangerous such a disease is, and why it is necessary to proceed to its surgical treatment. They go to the hospital in the late stages of the disease, when severe damage was inflicted on the body. If you regularly undergo medical examinations, you can avoid such situations and identify the disease at the beginning of its development.
The specifics of the treatment of pathology
Treatment of atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta should be comprehensive. The specialist takes into account the patient's age, his condition, the degree of progression of the disease, the severity of symptoms. It is undesirable to independently treat folk remedies for atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta and iliac arteries, since they can cause an allergic reaction.
Drug treatment is carried out by the following means:
- Statins that reduce natural cholesterol production.
- Desargents that thin the blood.
- Fibers that reduce lipid production.
- B vitamins that produce antioxidant effects on the body.
- Calcium antagonists that dilate blood vessels.
Such maintenance therapy in some cases is prescribed to the patient for life if the inflammatory process does not occur.
When atherosclerosis of the abdominal aorta caused the formation of an aneurysm, whose diameter is more than four centimeters, then surgery is performed, the affected area of the vessel is excised, the defect is sutured or replaced by a vascular prosthesis.
If the aneurysm ruptures, an urgent operation is required.
Patient diet
In order to reduce blood cholesterol and increase vascular strength, you need to eat properly with atherosclerosis of the coronary artery aorta. Food is taken in small portions at least four times a day. You need to eat stewed, baked and boiled foods or steamed. In addition, the amount of salt is reduced. Preference should be given to fresh fruits and vegetables. What is allowed to eat:
- Meat: veal, rabbit, turkey, chicken.
- Fish: freshwater and marine, including fatty varieties.
- Fruits and vegetables.
- Fats: sunflower, corn and olive vegetable oils.
- Yolks of eggs.
- Low fat milk products.
What products are prohibited:
- Meat: lamb, pork.
- By-products: brains, lard, kidneys, liver.
- Fats: lard, trans fats, butter.
- Fatty sauces.
- Whole milk, cottage cheese, fat sour cream and cream.
- Smoked fish.
Folk methods
With atherosclerosis of the coronary artery aorta, the following alternative methods are used.
Tincture of hawthorn. To cook it, you need to take 200 grams of fresh berries and pour them with 70 medical alcohol (300 ml), insist a week in a dark place. Strain and drink three milliliters in the morning and evening before eating. Reception continues for three months, after which a break is made for four weeks, then admission is resumed.
Healing infusion. The grass of valerian, motherwort and knotweed are mixed in the same proportion. Three grams of the collection should be poured with boiling water (200 ml) and insisted for forty minutes. Then strain and drink in small sips. The drug is taken once a day for two months.
Garlic tincture. The large head is crushed, placed in a dark glass dish and filled with alcohol. Insists, shakes occasionally, for a week. It is filtered and drunk in the morning and evening for 15 drops for six months.
Viburnum tincture. 200 grams of ripe berries must be chopped, add honey (50 grams). Then pour natural wine (400 ml) made from red grape varieties. Give a week to insist and strain. Drink five milliliters three times a day before meals. The disease must be treated for six months.
Tincture of horseradish root. To prepare the product, take two tablespoons of the root in a crushed form, pour 100 milliliters of vodka, insist in a dark place for a week. Drink and drink twice a day for four months, 20 drops.
Pumpkin juice. Every day you need to drink on an empty stomach 100 milliliters of juice squeezed from ripe pulp. The product must be prepared immediately before use. Such treatment should be continued for at least three months.
Prevention
To avoid the occurrence of signs of aortic atherosclerosis, you need to:
- Adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
- Bring food to normal.
- Give up bad habits.
- Do sport.
- Strengthen your immunity.
- Timely treat infectious pathologies.
- Get rid of excess weight.
This pathology is characterized by gradual development, and its treatment is long. In case of unpleasant signs, you need to seek medical advice.
Cardiologist Tips
Strokes and heart attacks are the cause of almost 70% of all deaths in the world. However, few are aware that seven out of ten patients die just because of high cholesterol in the blood due to blockage of the arteries of the brain or heart.
Particularly scary is that many people in principle do not suspect that their cholesterol is elevated. And they do not even attempt to rectify this situation.
Cardiologists advise you to pay attention to the following signs of high cholesterol:
- Headache.
- Black dots (flies) in front of the eyes.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Drowsiness, irritability, apathy.
- Sweating.
- Blurry vision.
- Swelling of the face.
- Chronic fatigue.
- Chills and numbness of fingers.
- Pressure drops.
If you have one symptom, you should already think about it. If there are more, then there is no doubt that cholesterol is elevated.