Deposits in the arteries can lead to dangerous heart disease.
You can prevent atherosclerosis with the following simple rules.
Atherosclerosis describes a pathological change in the arteries: These narrow and harden, which can lead to a stroke or heart attack.
Narrowed arteries are caused by blood components such as calcium, fat or connective tissue, which can be deposited in the arteries and form so-called plaques.
Colloquially, arteriosclerosis is therefore also referred to as hardening of the arteries.
Depending on which vessel is narrowed, according to Techniker Krankenkasse (TK), an arterial embolism can occur in the brain, in the legs or in other organs.
Around four million people in Germany are affected by arteriosclerosis.
The following simple rules of conduct will help prevent vascular calcification.
There are a number of risk factors that promote hardening of the arteries. These include high blood pressure * or smoking. The dangerous thing about atherosclerosis: It can go undetected for decades because it progresses very slowly and does not cause any symptoms for a long time. But then everything can happen very quickly:
atherosclerosis is the main reason for a heart attack or stroke
. These are among the heart diseases that are responsible for most deaths in Germany. According to the Federal Statistical Office, over 250,000 people died in 2019 alone as a result of heart attacks, strokes, atrial fibrillation or cerebral infarction.
"Heart disease is often a silent killer because many people do not know that they are at risk or that they have early warning signs, such as calcification of the abdominal or coronary arteries," says Josh Lewis of the Australian ECU's School of Medical and Health Sciences from the specialist portal Eurekalert quotes.
In order to keep the blood vessels healthy and to protect them from hardening of the arteries, simple lifestyle changes can help
.
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If a doctor diagnoses arteriosclerosis, the deposits in the vessels can no longer be reversed.
But the
progress of the disease can be slowed down considerably
, for example by following the following rules of conduct:
Smoking
is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis.
You can find out here how to quit smoking and survive the withdrawal symptoms.
High blood pressure also
promotes hardening of the arteries.
Therefore, measure your blood pressure regularly and achieve normal values.
A blood pressure that is too high does not always have to be controlled with medication.
In the case of slightly increased values, natural measures often help.
As a diabetic, it is important
to achieve
a balanced
blood sugar level
, informs TK.
Poor
blood lipid levels
promote the development of arteriosclerosis.
A balanced diet and the reduction of obesity have a positive effect.
A lot of exercise
improves blood circulation and thus also has a positive effect on the arteries.
According to TK studies, there are indications that
regular sleep
of around eight hours is associated with a lower risk of arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases.
(jg) * Merkur.de is part of the Germany-wide Ippen digital editorial network
.
More sources: https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2021-01/ecu-nrr011221.php;
https://www.destatis.de/DE/Themen/Gesellschaft-Umwelt/Gesundheit/Todesursachen/Tabellen/sterbefaelle-herz-kreislauf- Krankungen-inssum.html;
https://www.internisten-im-netz.de/krankheiten/arteriosklerose/was-ist-arteriosklerose.html
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This is the best way to prevent arteriosclerosis and thus a heart attack
This is the best way to prevent arteriosclerosis and thus a heart attack