All articles tagged with #blocked arteries
Blocked arteries develop gradually due to factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise, often without symptoms. Preventive measures include a healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, managing medical conditions, reducing stress, and regular check-ups to detect silent blockages early.
Atherosclerosis, a silent and progressive buildup of plaque in arteries, can lead to life-threatening conditions like heart attacks and strokes. Early detection through regular tests such as cholesterol panels, blood pressure monitoring, and imaging scans is crucial, especially for those with risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and family history.
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) can be identified early through signs like leg pain while walking, numbness, temperature differences, slow-healing foot wounds, hair loss on legs, and weak or absent foot pulses. Recognizing these symptoms promptly is crucial to prevent severe complications such as infections or amputations, and early treatment can improve outcomes.
Dr. Jeremy London shares four non-invasive tests—blood pressure monitoring, advanced blood panel, DEXA scan for visceral fat, and VO2 Max test—to detect blocked arteries early, which is crucial for preventing serious cardiovascular issues, especially in Indians who are at higher risk due to smaller artery size and silent symptoms.
Cold hands and feet, shiny skin, no hair on legs, leg ulcers, upset stomach, and memory loss are some of the warning signs of poor circulation, according to vascular surgeon Professor Alun Davies. Poor circulation can lead to life-threatening conditions such as amputation and gangrene. Maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking can reduce the risk of poor circulation, as can reducing blood pressure and cholesterol levels.