Understanding Cholesterol Plaques and Heart Health
Cholesterol plaques might sound fancy, but they’re actually tiny things that can cause big problems for our hearts. These plaques start in our artery walls and can grow over time, making it harder for blood to flow through our arteries. Sometimes, these plaques can even burst, causing a clot that can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Blocked arteries, caused by these plaques and blood clots, are the main reason why so many people in the U.S. pass away. But there’s hope! We can lower our chances of getting these cholesterol plaques by reducing our cholesterol levels and other risky stuff we do.
These plaques form because of something called atherosclerosis, which is just a big word for “hardening of the arteries.” This happens when “bad cholesterol” (LDL) damages our artery walls, and then more bad cholesterol builds up, slowly creating those plaques.
These plaques are what usually cause heart attacks, strokes, and other heart problems. In fact, they’re the top reason why so many people in America lose their lives each year.
So, by keeping our cholesterol levels in check and staying healthy, we can help keep those pesky cholesterol plaques at bay and keep our hearts strong and happy!
Understanding Early Signs of Cholesterol Plaque
Cholesterol plaques might sound like something from a science fiction movie, but they actually start off pretty small, hiding in the walls of our arteries. Even before they become full-blown plaques, there are signs of trouble brewing in our arteries. Some teens can even have these early signs, known as “fatty streaks,” in their artery walls. They’re like little hints that something might not be quite right.
These streaks are like the early builders of cholesterol plaques, but they’re sneaky and hard to spot. Doctors usually can’t see them easily with tests. Instead, researchers have found them by looking closely during autopsies of young people who died in accidents or violence.
Atherosclerosis, the process that leads to cholesterol plaques, takes a long time to develop. It’s not something that happens overnight. Instead, it slowly builds up over many years, kind of like how a sandcastle gets bigger and stronger with each wave at the beach. And just like building a sandcastle, atherosclerosis involves a lot of complicated steps.
How is High Cholesterol Treated
It is important to know that treatments are not cures. High cholesterol is often treated with lifestyle changes like eating healthier foods and exercising more. Sometimes, doctors may also prescribe medication to help lower cholesterol levels. It’s important to understand what your doctor is telling you to take, why you have to take the drug medications, how long you have to take the drug medication, and if there are other options besides taking a drug medication. Regular check-ups with the doctor can help monitor cholesterol levels and track progress in managing it.
Common Medications Used to Treat High Cholesterol
Common medications used to treat high cholesterol include statins (such as atorvastatin and simvastatin), which help lower “bad cholesterol” (LDL) levels, and ezetimibe, which reduces the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Other options include bile acid sequestrants (like cholestyramine), fibrates (such as fenofibrate), and PCSK9 inhibitors (like evolocumab and alirocumab). Your doctor may have prescribed these medications and you should truly understand the bad things that can happen if you take these drug medications. Start by first understanding your health condition and research each drug medication you are being told to take for your health condition.
Facts about High-Blood Sugar and High Cholesterol
Did you know that high-blood sugar increases the formation of cholesterol plaques. In fact, most doctors will not tell you that eating high amounts of processed foods, sugary foods, and other types of unhealthy foods damage your vessels and arteries. This makes your body go into repair mode which causes plaque to form.