Aortic sclerosis and its consequences

Aortic sclerosis (atherosclerosis) is a chronic disease, manifested by the penetration of lipids into the inner membranes of the aorta and the proliferation of connective tissue in the affected areas. It causes a narrowing of the lumen of the blood vessel, an increase in the density of its wall, and in some cases an aneurysm of the artery.

Aortic sclerosis usually arises from a violation of the proportion of the content in the blood plasma of different classes of lipoproteins. Some of them promote the transfer of cholesterol to the vessel wall, others are hampered by this process. As a rule, the imbalance of lipoproteins is hereditary, transmitted from generation to generation. Perhaps the emergence of acquired atherosclerosis from eating large amounts of food with high cholesterol, such as animal fats. Aortic sclerosis very often develops in people who have high blood pressure, obese, smokers and with a lack of movement.

In the initial stage of the disease, under the internal wall of the aorta, especially in the thoracic part of it, yellow flat spots of different sizes appear. The spots contain cholesterol, which gives them color. After a certain time, a lot of lipid spots dissolves and disappears, but some, on the contrary, expand, occupying a large space.

The growth of the lipid mass occurs in all directions. The aorta is compacted. The predominant growth of the focus in the cavity of the vessel causes the appearance of cholesterol plaques on the inner wall. They after a while sprout with a connective tissue, lose elasticity and cause a narrowing of the lumen of the blood-conducting organ.

Inside the plaque, irreversible processes also occur. Overgrowth entails squeezing blood vessels that feed the aorta itself, causing the formation of necrotic areas and the decomposition of tissues inside the plaque. Multiple fusion of small necrotic foci leads to the appearance of extensive atheromatosis. The defeat of the middle layer of the blood vessel reduces the strength and elasticity of its wall, which is the cause of an aneurysm, in which the aortic rupture is not excluded.

Clinically, the disease manifests itself in a very diverse manner, the signs vary with the localization of the process. The defeat of the coronary arteries is expressed by the violation of the heart, the appearance of ischemic disease, angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia and myocardial infarction. Long-lasting ischemia, as well as multiple heart muscle infarctions, can cause its ruptures. In their place, connective tissue scar (cardiosclerosis) is formed. The release of blood in this flow becomes minimal, heart failure develops.

Sclerosis of the aorta can be the cause of its aneurysm, which is characterized by a sharp expansion of this blood vessel. As a result, other nearby organs are compressed, their functionality is violated. In some cases, with aneurysm, exfoliation and rupture of the affected aorta occurs.

Sclerosis of the arteries supplying blood to the brain is manifested by a decrease in the memory of the sick person, especially the events that occurred recently. This disease is accompanied by dizziness, a change in the patient's personality. It is noticed that a thrifty person becomes a miser with this disease, the sensual becomes weak-hearted.

Involvement of the abdominal arteries in the process is accompanied by abdominal pain (abdominal toad). The defeat of atherosclerosis of the mesenteric vascular mains ends with the necrosis of the intestinal tract. Clinically, this is manifested by severe pain in the abdomen and obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract.

This is only a small part of the pathological manifestations caused by sclerosis of the aorta. Due to the fact that it is difficult and expensive to treat most of these diseases, the main attention should be paid to the prevention of this serious ailment.