Artery blockage or narrowing is the main factor that leads to ischemia in the part affected with atherosclerosis. Heart is the most affected organ with ischemia, which leads to severe chest pain and weak heart muscle; a condition that directly affect the day-to-day life. In such a condition, the patient should take aspirin and head to emergency room at once. Dr. Saleem A. Dahduli, Consultant of Vascular Surgery at the International Medical Center (IMC) in Jeddah, explained that, the brain as well is affected directly by this disease, caused by narrowness of the arteries feeding the brain, or an embolus heading from the heart or brain arteries. This will lead to a condition called Hemiplegia. In such case, time is an essential factor, and treatment must be done within the first three hours, and patient must head immediately to the emergency department. Dr. Saleem added, limbs ischemia, specially the lower ones, results from atherosclerosis and narrowness of arteries feeding those limbs. In this case, the main complaint will depend upon the degree and location of narrowness. Mostly, the patient complains from a leg pain when he walks; he finds himself forced to stop for a few minutes, and then continue walking. The distance a patient can walk depends upon the extent of blockage and upon the collateral arteries. In this case, a color X-Ray should be performed to determine the blockage location in arteries. Most of the time, it could be treated by using the balloon or an extension surgery. In certain conditions, the patient suffers from a sudden severe pain in the foot or leg, with numbness, and inability to move the foot. A clot originating from the heart or a main vessel could be the cause, especially if the patient is suffering from heart failure. Causes of atherosclerosis include genetic factors, smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and overweight. However, in all cases in which the symptoms indicate blood circulation failure, immediate treatment is required, as time is a major factor in this condition. Dr. Saleem concluded that, atherosclerosis is a disease that may lead to severe disability. Accordingly, it is a must to follow prevention instructions. You should quit smoking, exercise regularly, ovoid overweight, monitor your sugar and blood pressure levels, and a healthy diet rich in fiber, fresh fruit and vegetables that help reduce absorption of harmful substances from the intestines and monitor your blood cholesterol.
