Inflammation is what triggers atherosclerosis. There are many causes of this inflammation.  Smoking, free radical oxidants from foods, your biochemistry, water and the environment trigger inflammation in your blood vessel linings.

Your body responds by sending LDL cholesterol that sticks to artery walls and this attracts an immune response and further inflammation.  Calcium deposits collect and increase the plaque lining; this hardens the arteries.

The atherosclerotic plaque, as it becomes thicker and more calcified, makes arteries less flexible. Why this is important is because less flexible arteries increase blood pressure and make the heart work harder and increase blood clots.

This is significant because the heart typically beats 100,000 times a day or 36 million times a year.  The flexibility of the large arteries is important to propel circulation and to give the heart a rest between beats.

The diastolic (low number) for blood pressure, is a measure of the rebound pressure of the expanded aorta artery. This propels blood circulation throughout the body between heart beats.  If blood does not move well between heart beats the heart has to pump harder to make up for it.  Oxygen and nutrients are needed by every cell in your body and blood is the carrier.

The systolic reading of blood pressure is a measure of the heart’s contraction. It varies considerably depending upon needs for blood oxygen due to exercise and various activities.  Of course making the heart work harder shortens its life and causes blood vessel “wear and tear” due to blood flow resistance.

What are various causes of atherosclerosis? They are primarily inflammatory and chemical causes (hormones, enzymes & foreign substances).  The inflammation is caused by any irritant.  This includes bacterial and viral infections and what they leave behind in vessel linings.

Oxidative (inflammatory) stress is essential for atherosclerosis to take place. The cause of this can be many factors such as smoking, bad diet, foreign substances in food and water…anything that irritates or triggers inflammation and/or an immune response.

Inflammation is necessary for plaque to accumulate. LDL (low density lipid) cholesterol is considered a culprit because it easily oxidizes.  Unless it is oxidized (by inflammation) or attracted to inflamed artery walls, it is not a problem.

Numerous excellent studies show the level of LDL cholesterol is not associated with heart attack and stroke but rather the inflammatory condition in the blood and artery linings. Excellent research at Harvard, Mayo Clinic and other respected research facilities has confirmed inflammation and not cholesterol levels are responsible for atherosclerosis and heart disease. Half of those with heart attacks have normal (150 to 200) cholesterol levels.

Atherosclerosis is associated with increased risk for heart attack and stroke because clots of blood are easily formed with inflammation and oxidation in the blood.  It is estimated that 50% of people over 65 have atherosclerosis.

Not surprisingly the coronary heart disease and death rate from cardiovascular disease make it the leading killer in U.S.A.  Drugs can treat symptoms but only changes in diet and lifestyle can change the causes of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease…Denis Van Loan D.D.S

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