Atherosclerosis: The Silent Killer Essay examples -- essays research p

Atherosclerosis The Silent Killer     Atherosclerosis is one of a group of health problems that define coronary artery affection, oftentimes referred to as heart disease. Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of heart disease in the unify States. The following is the definition provided by the Ameri merchantman Heart AssociationAtherosclerosis (ath"er-o-skleh-ROsis) comes from the Greek words athero (meaning gruel or paste) and sclerosis (hardness). Its the name of the process in which deposits of adipose substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery. This buildup is called plaque. It usually affects large and medium-sized arteries. Some hardening of arteries often occurs when muckle grow older (AHA, 2005).Atherosclerosis is different from Arteriosclerosis, though the two are oftentimes concurrently present as a result of heart disease and are likewise confused. Arteriosclerosis is defined by the Well-Net group as...during which the arteries of the cardiovascular system develop areas which become hard and brittle. Vessels become thickened. There is a loss of elasticity. It can involve the arteries of the cardiovascular system, the brain, kidneys, upper and lower extremities. This occurs because of the deposition of calcium in their walls.Atherosclerosis often leads to coronary heart disease, strokes, and other disorders because of the happening of blood clots which form in the narrowed arteries hardening of the arteries, on the other hand occur only in advanced stages (Lawrence, 1997).     There are factors that can be controlled to aid in the prevention of atherosclerosis. The following research will address seven major controllable factors with special focus on how a persons diet can help minimize the risk of developing this debilitating disease, or preventing a heart attack if the disease is already present.     Acco rding to The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, Coronary artery disease, also called coronary heart disease, or simply, heart disease, is the No. 1 killer in America, affecting more than 12 million Americans (Webmd.com, 2005).     Atherosclerosis occurs when the arteries that feed blood to the heart become narrowed due to the build up of plaque. This plaque is m... ...June 5, 2005, from http//imaginis.com/heart-disease/cad_risk.aspJohns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center (JHBMC 2005). commit and heart disease. Retrieved      July 13, 2005 from http//www.jhbmc.jhu.edu/cardiology/rehab/exercise.chd.htmlLawrence, A., M.D, (1997), Arteriosclerosis. Retrieved July 12, 2005 from      http//www.well-net.com/cardiov/arterios.htmlMaltin, L.J., M.D. (2002), Fish oil fights heart disease. WebMD Feature, Retreived July 12,      2005 from http//my.webmd.com/content/article/17/1671_53159.htm?printing=trueMayo Clinic / CNN. com (2005). Diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Retrieved July 13, 2005     from http//www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/DA/00052.html matter Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (NHLBI) (1999). Statement from the national high      blood pressure program. Retrieved July 13, 2005 from      http//www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/prof/heart/hbp/salt_up2.htmNHLBI.com (2003, August). Coronary artery disease. Retrieved June 4, 2005,from http//www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/ bounder/CAD_WhatIs.html