Atherosclerosis: diseased arteries

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Extract from the article: Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries. « It begins in childhood with simple lipid streaks or fatty deposits on the surface of the intima, one of the three layers of the arteries. Their walls are lined by the endothelium, a coating long though

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Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries. « It begins in childhood with simple lipid streaks or fatty deposits on the surface of the intima, one of the three layers of the arteries.  Their walls are lined by the endothelium, a coating long thought to be smooth enough to prevent any adhesion. But atherosclerosis can develop as a result of an inflammatory phenomenon combining fibrosis and the accumulation of bad fats », explains Pr René Baragou, Head of Cardiology at Lomé's Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital, and President of the Société de Cardiologie du Togo (SOCART).

Asymptomatic, it can then cause « a narrowing or stenosis, hindering the passage of blood and its oxygen supply to the irrigated organ », warns Pr René Baragou, Head of Cardiology at Lomé's Sylvanus Olympio University Hospital. Atherosclerosis mainly affects areas of turbulence, crossroads or bifurcations in medium and large arteries. « Symptoms such as shortness of breath on exertion or walking, dizziness and chest pain should raise the alarm. The rupture of a plaque that has become too unstable can lead, depending on its location, to stroke, acute coronary syndrome, atheromatous aortic aneurysm rupture or acute ischemia of the lower limb », explains Professor René Baragou.

Preventable in 80% of cases

« In 8 out of 10 cases, the disease is preventable », reassures Pr René Baragou.Atherosclerosis is favored by smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, and a diet that is too sweet, too fatty or too salty. Age and heredity are also involved, but cannot be prevented.While women's exposure is low before the age of 50, their vascular risk is similar to that of men after the menopause.

Several risk markers such as sleep apnea, social isolation or precariousness, and air pollution also need to be taken into account.All these factors interact, with the risk of complications increasing with age.Risk factors should be systematically assessed after the age of 40 for men and 50 for women.

Consult a doctor

 « A major enemy of the arteries, the presence of fatty plaques can be detected before it's too late.  In the event of warning symptoms suggestive of coronary disease (constrictive pain in the chest radiating into the arm, jaw or pit of the stomach), consult a doctor, in particular a cardiologist », recommends the President of the Société de Cardiologie du Togo (SOCART). It's better not to wait for an accident to happen, but to take action on risk factors by adopting a healthy lifestyle and getting tested.

William O.