About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD)
Introduction
Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) is a term used to describe conditions caused by the buildup of fatty plaques (atherosclerosis) in the arteries. This condition can lead to major cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes. Understanding ASCVD is crucial for prevention and treatment.
Causes and Risk Factors
ASCVD develops over time due to various risk factors, including:
- High blood pressure (hypertension): Causes stress on arterial walls.
- High cholesterol levels (hyperlipidemia): Leads to plaque formation.
- Diabetes: Increases inflammation and damage to blood vessels.
- Smoking: Damages blood vessels and accelerates plaque buildup.
- Obesity: Linked to high cholesterol, hypertension, and diabetes.
- Sedentary lifestyle: Reduces cardiovascular health.
- Unhealthy diet: High in saturated fats, salt, and sugar.
- Genetics: Family history can increase risk.
Symptoms
ASCVD symptoms depend on the affected blood vessels:
- Coronary artery disease: Chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, heart attack.
- Cerebrovascular disease: Stroke, transient ischemic attacks (mini-stroke), dizziness.
- Peripheral artery disease: Leg pain, poor wound healing, cold or numb limbs.
Diagnosis
Doctors use various tests to diagnose ASCVD:
- Blood tests: Measure cholesterol and sugar levels.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Detects abnormal heart rhythms.
- Echocardiogram: Assesses heart function.
- Coronary angiography: Examines arterial narrowing.
- CT or MRI scans: Identify plaque buildup in vessels.
Prevention and Treatment
1. Lifestyle Changes
- Healthy diet: Increase vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Regular exercise: At least 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.
- Quit smoking: Reduces cardiovascular risk significantly.
- Weight management: Maintain a healthy body mass index (BMI).
2. Medications
- Statins: Lower cholesterol to prevent plaque buildup.
- Antihypertensive drugs: Control blood pressure.
- Antiplatelet therapy (aspirin): Reduces blood clot risk.
- Diabetes management medications.
3. Medical Procedures
- Angioplasty: Opens blocked arteries with a stent.
- Bypass surgery: Creates new blood supply routes.
Conclusion
ASCVD is a serious condition that requires early detection and proper management. A combination of a heart-healthy lifestyle, medications, and sometimes surgical procedures can reduce the risk and improve quality of life.
References
For further reading, refer to official clinical guidelines:
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-and-statements
- https://www.heart.org/
- https://professional.heart.org/en/guidelines-statements
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness/fitness-basics/aha-recs-for-physical-activity-in-adults
- https://cpr.heart.org/en/resuscitation-science/cpr-and-ecc-guidelines
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/39/4043/7238227
- https://www.escardio.org/
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
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We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.