Why atherosclerosis does not cause hypertension

Atherosclerosis is a potentially serious condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances called plaques, or atheroma. These plaques cause the arteries to harden and narrow, restricting the blood flow and oxygen supply to vital organs, and increasing the risk of blood clots that could potentially block the flow of blood to the heart or brain. Atherosclerosis does not tend to have any symptoms at first and many people may be unaware they have it, but it can eventually cause life-threatening problems, such as heart attacks and strokes , if it gets worse.

But the condition is largely preventable with a healthy lifestyle, and treatment can help reduce the risk of serious problems happening. If left to get worse, atherosclerosis can potentially lead to a number of serious conditions known as cardiovascular disease CVD. There will not usually be any symptoms until CVD develops.

Most commonly referred to as bypass surgery, this surgery is often done in people who have angina chest pain due to coronary artery disease where plaque has built up in the arteries. During the surgery, a bypass is created by grafting a piece of a healthy vein from elsewhere in the body and attaching it above and below the blocked area of a coronary artery. This lets blood flow around the blockage. Veins are usually taken from the leg or from the chest wall.

Sometimes more than one artery needs to be bypassed during the same surgery. Plaque buildup inside the arteries reduces the blood flow. A heart attack may occur if the blood supply is reduced to the heart. A damaged heart muscle may not pump as well and can lead to heart failure.

A stroke may occur if the blood supply is cut off to the brain. Severe pain and tissue death may occur if the blood supply is reduced to the arms and legs. You can prevent or delay atherosclerosis by reducing risk factors. This includes adopting a healthy lifestyle.

A healthy diet, losing weight, being physically active, and not smoking can help reduce your risk of atherosclerosis. A healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, skinless chicken, seafood, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products.

A healthy diet also limits sodium, refined sugars and grains, and solid fats. If you are at risk for atherosclerosis because of family history, or high cholesterol, it is important that you take medicines as directed by your healthcare provider. Atherosclerosis is thickening or hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. Risk factors may include high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, physical activity, and eating saturated fats.

A clot can block the artery, leading to life threatening complications, such as stroke and heart attack. Atherosclerosis can affect any artery, but it mainly occurs in the larger, high pressure arteries. Find out the difference between a stroke and a heart attack, and how to recognize each, here. Atherosclerosis usually affects older people, but it can start to develop during adolescence. Inside the artery, streaks of white blood cells will appear on the artery wall.

Often, there are no symptoms until a bit of plaque ruptures, or the blood flow becomes restricted. This may take many years to occur. Coronary arteries provide blood to the heart. When the blood supply to the heart falls, it can cause angina and heart attack. Learn more about coronary artery disease here.

Renal arteries supply blood to the kidneys. If the blood supply becomes limited, chronic kidney disease may develop. Someone with renal artery blockage significant enough to cause chronic kidney disease may experience:.

If blood cannot circulate effectively, a person may experience numbness and pain in their limbs. In severe cases, tissue death and gangrene can occur. Peripheral artery disease also increases the risk of a stroke or heart attack. Atherosclerosis can be life threatening, but treatment is available. Receiving treatment early can reduce the risk of severe complications. Hypertension and the resulting increase in tangential tension on the myocardial and arterial walls, leads to the development of hypertensive heart disease and congestive heart failure as well as hypertensive vascular disease that affects not only the kidneys but also the heart and brain.

Hypertensive vascular disease involves both large and small arteries as well as arterioles and is characterized by fibromuscular thickening of the intima and media with luminal narrowing of the small arteries and arterioles. The physical stress of hypertension on the arterial wall also results in the aggravation and acceleration of atherosclerosis, particularly of the coronary and cerebral vessels.