Arterial Diseases
Arteries are the veins that take part in sending oxygen-free blood from our heart to our entire body. Dysfunction of the arteries is generally seen in the form of narrowing, occlusion or enlargement of the vessel. Occlusion of the arteries develops due to the occlusion of the fatty plaques, which we call atherosclerosis, as a result of chronic diseases that occur as a result of occlusion of the vessel over time, or as a result of the deterioration of the vascular structure caused by variables such as trauma to the wall. Arteries, which are extremely resistant to high pressure, unlike veins, develop as a result of long-term conditions such as chronic diseases that cause wear and tear. Arterial diseases are usually insidious and progress without symptoms because the body can tolerate up to 70% stenosis. Therefore, regular controls are required. This condition, which progresses with vascular narrowing, may result in obstruction if not controlled. Underlying genetic factors accelerate this process. Calcifications and fatty plaques in the artery wall constantly damage the vessel. However, any vascular lesion may not show any symptoms at rest until it narrows by approximately 50-70%. After this stage, when it started to give symptoms, it suddenly developed, it is thought that I did not have anything. For this reason, early diagnosis and treatment control of arterial diseases are extremely important.
Atherosclerosis is the most important factor causing this. In addition, age, genetic factors, diet and living conditions also affect it. The incidence of atherosclerosis increases with age. For this reason, individuals should do light-moderate exercise as much as possible and eat healthy. In addition, conditions such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity should be treated early, otherwise they will lead to arterial diseases in the future. For example, an individual with two or more chronic diseases is at greater risk than other individuals in terms of arterial and heart diseases. Lifestyle change is strongly recommended and, if regulated, the risks of disease progression and associated death can be significantly reduced. In order to prevent plaque in the arteries and structural changes that may cause problems, regular follow-up with doctor control should be done.
Arterial diseases usually show signs according to the vein in the body. If there is a problem in the vessels leading to the brain (Carotid Artery), dizziness, headache, drowsiness, chest pain in the heart vessels (Coronary Artery), chest pain, shortness of breath, foot veins (Peripheral Artery), pain by walking, coldness, thinning of the feet, kidney veins (Renal Artery) Artery) may present as blood pressure, kidney disorders.
Carotid Artery Occlusion: It is among the most common causes of paralysis. When there is a complaint of dizziness, headache, numbness in the arms and feet, ultrasonographic examination of the neck vessels should be performed and evaluated for stenosis. In its treatment, angiographic removal of the plaque causing the stenosis with a stent or gold standard surgery and widening of the narrowed area (Carotid endarterctomy) are performed.
Coronary Artery Disease: It develops as a result of the occlusion of the vessels that carry oxygen to the heart itself over time. As a result of the development of a heart attack, the comfort of life may decrease in the following periods, the effort capacity may decrease, and it may lead to fatal pictures. In its diagnosis, non-invasive methods such as ECG, ECO, Stress ECG or scintigraphy and evaluation with tomography called virtual angiography are started and the diagnosis is made by angiography if necessary. In its treatment, interventional procedures such as stenting or coronary bypass surgery may be required.
Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease: It occurs as a result of plaque occlusion of the vessels leading to the foot over time. Smoking, atherosclerosis, diabetes and genetic factors affect its development. Factors leading to treatment planning are;
Pain That Causes Limping With Walking: The blood requirement of the tissues increases with effort, but the body cannot send enough blood to this region due to the stenosis in the vein and pain begins to occur, this pain goes away with rest, as the blood requirement decreases.
Rest Pain: If the stenosis in the vein progresses further, even at rest, enough blood cannot go to the tissues, so the patient begins to have pain and cannot walk. It must be evaluated by vascular surgery, otherwise it may lead to a picture that may result in limb loss.
Wound and Ulcer Development: Since the skin nutrition may be impaired due to the developing vascular occlusion, it may lead to wound formation and infection, which we call gangrene. First of all, it is evaluated by a vascular surgeon and intervened before the damage in the tissues progresses can prevent the loss of limbs, as well as prevent the toxic substances here from damaging the kidneys and other vital organs and causing a fatal picture.
There are also vascular diseases called Aneurysm, which is accompanied by enlargement of the veins. This table, which is defined as the vessel being 50% larger than the normal diameter, is classified according to the type of enlargement. The feared side of the aneurysmatic vessel is the development of ruptures due to thinning of the vessel wall due to enlargement and the occurrence of urgent serious bleeding problems. Clot may occur in the enlarged area due to intravascular wall defects. Aneurysm may develop due to high blood pressure and some genetic disorders. If there is such a history in the family, special care should be taken. The first findings on this subject may be like this.
Coronary Artery Disease: As a result of the occlusion or narrowing of the coronary vessels, which receive from the heart’s own blood flow and provide nutrition, the heart cannot feed itself adequately. Patients with coronary artery disease may apply to the hospital with symptoms such as shortness of breath and chest pain. These patients are usually diagnosed with coronary artery disease after a heart attack. Peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease are interrelated conditions. An individual with one of these diseases is at increased risk of having the other.
If one of the arterial diseases has occurred, the patient should be screened for other conditions, because damage to any artery of the body will disrupt the biomechanism in general and will prevent future problems.
While aortic aneurysm and aortic dissection require urgent surgical intervention, atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease progress over many years and are insidious. Therefore, in order to prevent long-term problems, the patient should be conscious about lifestyle changes, exercise and diet.