| |
Week Three – Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Syndrome
Atherosclerosis
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are flexible, strong and elastic. However, over time too much pressure in the arteries can make the walls thick and stiff – sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues. This process is called arteriosclerosis, or sometimes referred to as “hardening of the arteries.”
The causes of atherosclerosis are complicated and still not completely understood. Atherosclerosis is thought to start when the inner lining of the artery becomes damaged. The blood vessel wall reacts to this injury by depositing fatty substances, cholesterol, calcium and other substances on the inner lining of the artery. The result is a progressive thickening of the blood vessel wall and hardening of the arteries over time.
High blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, and smoking can all contribute to the development of plaque. In addition to simply getting older, other factors that increase the risk of atherosclerosis include: diabetes, obesity, smoking and genetics (family history of aneurysm or early heart disease).
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that includes increased blood pressure (hypertension), elevated insulin levels, excess body fat around the waist, or abnormal cholesterol levels that increase your risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Having just one of these conditions isn't diagnosed as metabolic syndrome, but it does contribute to your risk of serious disease. If more than one of these conditions occur in combination, your risk is even greater. If you have metabolic syndrome or any of the components of metabolic syndrome, aggressive lifestyle changes can delay or even prevent the development of serious health problems. Symptoms
- obesity, particularly around your waist (having an "apple shape")
- a systolic (top number) blood pressure measurement higher than 140 mmHg or a diastolic (bottom number) blood pressure measurement higher than 90 mmHg
- an elevated level of triglycerides (type of fat found in the blood) and a low level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol also known as the "good" cholesterol
- resistance to insulin, a hormone that helps to regulate the amount of sugar in your body
Risks
The risk of metabolic syndrome increases with age, affecting less than 10 percent of people in their 20s and 40 percent of people in their 60s. However, warning signs of metabolic syndrome can appear in childhood.
- People of Hispanic and Asian backgrounds appear to be at greater risk of metabolic syndrome.
- A body mass index (BMI) which is a measure of your percentage of body fat based on height and weight greater than 25 increases your risk of metabolic syndrome. Even more so, is your overall body shape. People with an apple body shape are at greater risk than people with a pear shape.
- Health history of diabetes will also increase your risk of metabolic syndrome more specifically if you have a family history of diabetes (type 2) or a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy).
- A diagnosis of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or polycystic ovary syndrome also increases your risk of metabolic syndrome.
Treatment
Getting more physically active, losing weight, and quitting smoking help reduce blood pressure and improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels. These changes are key to reducing your risk.
|
|
|
