ARTERY CLOG (ATHEROSCLEROSIS)

Atherosclerosis, a progressive condition responsible for most heart disease, is a type of hardening of the arteries. It can be caused by normal aging processes, by high blood pressure, and by some diseases, such as diabetes. Atherosclerosis can begin in the late teens, but it usually takes decades for the signs and symptoms of the disease to be apparent.

Some people experience rapidly progressing atherosclerosis in their 30s or later. An artery is made up of several layers: an inner lining called the endothelium, an elastic membrane that allows the artery to expand and contract, a layer of smooth muscle, and a layer of connective tissue.

Atherosclerosis affects the inner lining of an artery. It is characterized by plaque deposits that block the flow of blood. Plaque is made of fatty substances, cholesterol, waste products from the cells, calcium, iron, and fibrin, a material that helps clot blood. As plaque builds up in and around the cells of the artery walls, they accumulate calcium. The innermost layer thickens, the artery's diameter is reduced, and blood flow and oxygen delivery are decreased.

Plaque can rupture or crack open, causing the sudden formation of a blood clot, called a thrombosis. As a result of thrombosis and/or the buildup of plaque, atherosclerosis can cause a heart attack if it completely blocks the blood flow in the coronary arteries. It can cause a stroke if it completely blocks the carotid arteries of the brain.

Atherosclerosis can also occur in the arteries of the neck, kidneys, thighs, and arms, and may lead to kidney failure, gangrene, and even death.

Causes & Symptoms

It is thought that atherosclerosis is caused by the body's response to damage to the artery wall from cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking. A person who has all three of these risk factors is eight times more likely to develop atherosclerosis than is a person who has none.

Physical inactivity, damage by oxidants, diabetes, and obesity are also risk factors for atherosclerosis.

High levels of the amino acid homocysteine and abnormal levels of fats called lipoproteins also raise the risk.

Other risk factors include:

High triglycerides. Most fat in food and in the body takes the form of triglycerides. Blood triglyceride levels above 400 mg/dL have been linked to atherosclerosis.

Physical Inactivity. Lack of exercise increases the risk of atherosclerosis.

Diabetes Mellitus. The risk of developing atherosclerosis is seriously increased for diabetics and can be lowered by keeping diabetes under control. Many diabetics die from heart attacks caused by atherosclerosis.

Obesity. Excess weight increases the strain on the heart and increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis, even if no other risk factors are present.

Heredity. People whose parents have coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis, or stroke at an early age are at increased risk.

Sex. Before age 60, men are more likely to have heart attacks than women.

Age. Risk is higher in men who are 45 years of age and older and women who are 55 years of age and older.

The symptoms of atherosclerosis differ depending upon the location.

They may involve:

In the coronary (heart) arteries: chest pain, heart attack, and sudden death.

In the carotid arteries of the brain: sudden dizziness, weakness,
loss of speech, and blindness.

In the femoral arteries of the legs: cramping and fatigue in the calves of the legs when walking.

In the renal arteries of the kidneys: high blood pressure
resistant to treatment.

Diagnosis

Physicians may be able to make a diagnosis of atherosclerosis during a physical exam by means of a listening to the activity of the arteries and the heart with a stethoscope and probing them with the hands. More definitive tests are usually called for, however. These include an electrocardiogram, which shows the heart's activity; exercise electrocardiography, more familiarly known as a stress test, conducted while the patient exercises on a treadmill or a stationary bike; echocardiography, a type of ultrasound using sound waves to create an image of the heart's chambers and valves; and ultra-sonography to assess arteries of the neck and thighs.

Radionuclide angiography and thallium scanning use radioactive material injected into the bloodstream. These tests enable physicians to see the blood flow through the coronary arteries and the heart chambers and to record pictures of the heart. Coronary angiography is the most accurate diagnostic method for artheroscerosis, and it is also the only invasive procedure.

A cardiologist inserts a catheter equipped with a viewing device into a blood vessel in the leg or arm and guides it into the heart. A contrast dye makes the heart visible to x rays. Motion pictures are taken of the dye flowing though the arteries, and plaques and blockages are well defined.

ACUPUNCTURE and ARTERY CLOG

1. We perform analysis of medical report and history to understand the cause of the problem.

2. Combined with Chinese diagnosis, it might cause problem with the heart and lung
problems from emotional condition.

3. With the use of our Hi-Tech Energy Machine to clean the plaque from the lining of the artery wall.

4. The use of Chinese Herbs will increase the hearts circulation. The use of acupuncture with or without needles. We can also the CRA machine to enhance energy to internal organs.

5. Balance five elements and change emotional condition or Aura (Color of light around the head.)

6. Our success rate is very high.