The doctor warned about the dangerous consequences of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis can lead to heart attack, stroke, and even gangrene. In addition, the first signs of the disease are not excluded in 20-30 years. However, in 80% of cases, serious consequences can be avoided. On April 23, Natalia Zolotareva, a cardiologist and somnologist at the SM Clinic, told Izvestia about the dangers of atherosclerosis, what leads to the disease and how to prevent it.

"Imagine that your blood vessels are high—speed highways through which blood flows smoothly, delivering oxygen and nutrients to all organs. Now imagine that these roads suddenly have "traffic jams" made of fatty plaques. This is atherosclerosis," the doctor explained.

The cardiologist explained that atherosclerosis is a disease in which the walls of the arteries are covered with cholesterol deposits, calcium and other substances. At the same time, the vessels narrow and lose elasticity, and the blood barely makes its way through the congestion.

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Zolotareva noted that the disease has been developing imperceptibly for years, but in the end it can lead to serious consequences. So, the heart is at risk — narrowing of the coronary arteries leads to angina or heart attack, because the heart literally "suffocates" without oxygen. In addition, there is a risk of stroke due to blockage of cerebral vessels, as well as damage to peripheral arteries, pain occurs when walking, and in severe cases, the risk of gangrene. The doctor warned that atherosclerosis is often detected only with complications, when the time for prevention has already been missed.

However, the cardiologist says, if you acquire "healthy" habits, then problems can be avoided. The doctor recommends eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fatty fish rich in omega-3. On the contrary, it is better to avoid sausages, fast food, butter and sweets. Also, extra pounds put a strain on the heart — even losing 5-10% of weight improves health indicators.

"Just 30 minutes a day of walking, dancing or cycling improves blood flow and reduces "bad" cholesterol (LDL). In addition, smoking damages the walls of blood vessels, accelerating the formation of plaques. Quitting nicotine in one year halves the risk of a heart attack," the expert noted.

She also advised to regularly measure blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol levels, and avoid stress.

On April 18, Roman Goloshchapov-Aksenov, MD, cardiovascular surgeon at the SM Clinic, told Izvestia which habits lead to coronary heart disease. According to the specialist, when walking fast, climbing stairs and emotional stress, a person suffering from uncomplicated coronary artery disease feels discomfort, pain or burning behind the sternum in the heart area, sweating, palpitations, dizziness, which disappear within 1-3 minutes during rest. He warned that bad habits, including smoking, frequent overeating or excessive consumption of sweet, floury, fatty, smoked, spicy, fried and salty foods, low physical activity and chronic psycho-emotional stress on the background of depression will inevitably lead to the development of coronary artery disease.