ATHEROSCLEROSIS LEADING TO PROBLEMS IN HEART, KIDNEY, ISCHEMIA IN BRAIN, EYE, ALSO LEADING TO GANGRENE IN PERIPHERY AND BETTER LOGICAL APPROACHES IN ANCIENT AYURVEDA TO STEP IN.:

        Atherosclerosis also known as arteriosclerotic vascular disease or ASVD.Condition in which an artery wall thickens.  This is due to accumulation of fatty materials such as cholesterol.Atherosclerosis  is a syndrome affecting arterial blood vessels, a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries. More by the accumulation of macrophage white blood cells and promoted by low-density lipoproteins (plasma proteins that carry cholesterol and triglycerides) without adequate removal of fats and cholesterol from the macrophages by functional high density lipoproteins (HDL),  This is commonly referred to as a hardening or furring of the arteries ; is caused by the formation of multiple plaques within the arteries. The atheromatous plaque is divided into three distinct components:The arteriosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis, and atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of medium or large arteries. 

Arteriolosclerosis is any hardening (and loss of elasticity) of arterioles (small arteries).Atherosclerosis is a hardening of an artery specifically due to atheromatous plaque. Atherosclerosis is a chronic disease that remains asymptomatic for many years. Atherosclerotic lesions, or atherosclerotic plaques are separated into two broad categories: 1)Stable and  2)unstable (also called vulnerable). The pathobiology of atherosclerotic lesions is complicated but generally, stable atherosclerotic plaques, which tend to be asymptomatic, are rich in extracellular matrix and smooth muscle cells, while, unstable plaques are rich in macrophages and foam cells and the extracellular matrix separating the lesion from the arterial lumen  is usually weak and prone to rupture. Ruptures of the fibrous cap  of arterial lumen expose thrombogenic material, such as collagen to the circulation and eventually induce thrombus formation in the lumen,  forming  intraluminal thrombi which can occlude arteries immediately. coronary occlusion takes place like this ; but more often they detach, move into the circulation and eventually occlude smaller downstream branches causing thromboembolism. Stroke is often caused by thrombus formation in the carotid arteries. Apart from thromboembolism, chronically expanding atherosclerotic lesions can cause complete closure of the lumen. Interestingly, chronically expanding lesions are often asymptomatic until lumen stenosis is so severe that blood supply to downstream tissue(s) is insufficient resulting in ischemia.

These complications of advanced atherosclerosis are chronic, slowly progressive and alarming . Most commonly, soft plaque suddenly ruptures in vulnerable plaque,  causing the formation of a thrombus that will rapidly slow or stop blood flow, leading to death of the tissues fed by the artery very quickly.  This catastrophic event of infarction is one of the most common  recognised as coronary thrombosis  in a coronary artery, causing myocardial infarction or heart attack in common.  The same process in an artery to the brain is commonly called stroke. Another disease is claudication from insufficient blood supply to the legs, typically caused by a combination of both stenosis and aneurysmal segments narrowed with clots. Atherosclerosis can occur body-wide, in the arteries to the brain, intestines, kidneys, legs, etc. with many infarctions involving only very small amounts of tissue. These are "clinically silent".

Since hyperlipidemia, inflammation and obesity are closely related to atherosclerosis , therefore management of these factors together would be beneficial for overall treatment approach for

atherosclerosis .  Ayurveda has several factors involved in disease process are Susceptibility of Kapha in  individuals to cardiovascular and atherosclerosis.  classified by Prakriti of individual. 

Several drugs of Ayurveda  have been reported to be beneficial in heart ailments.   The arteries  lastly looses its elasticity by various factors. The hardening of arteries damages kidney, heart and micro circulation  in body. The eyes also become slowly prone to diseased  conditions. The importance of prevention of atherosclerosis is very important. The metabolic factors in digestion of food  play very important role. The food is to be digested in normally. The variable  digestion or agni as explained in ayurveda lies in all body constituents. The variability food ingestion,  environmental factors of living, water all influence the body of human to undergo changes. Hardening of circulatory artery, changing the life span of man. Balancing of all the factors is important & hence Ayurveda has broadly explained the importance of Agni in anabolism and catabolism. The micronutrients carried by food make the fit to survive.  Ayurveda has explained "hitha bhuk, mitha bhuk, kshutha bhuk";that only essential foods is to be consumed for good, the food should be little as such needed, the food is to be consumed when body needs as when hungry. Hardening factors explained in Ayurveda  has to be considered in treating Atherosclerosis. It has been successful and good if treatment started  earlier.  Council regarding food and nutrition, allergic factors in disease is important.A good physician can easily diagnose the  case so earlier with out  any biochemical assays because the biochemistry report will only be got after the damage of tissues.  Many physicians are successful in treating Atherosclerosis by early diagnosis and proper treatment. The risk factors for atherosclerosis may include:

High cholesterol and triglyceride levels

High blood pressure

Smoking

Type 1 diabetes

Obesity

Physical inactivity

High saturated fat diet           Symptoms of atherosclerosis:

Signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis may develop gradually, and may be few, as the plaque gradually builds up in the artery. Symptoms may also vary depending on the affected artery. However, when a major artery is blocked, signs and symptoms may be severe, such as those occurring with heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.

The symptoms of atherosclerosis may look like other heart conditions.. Signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis may develop gradually, and may be few, as the plaque gradually builds up in the artery. Symptoms may also vary depending on the affected artery. However, when a major artery is blocked, signs and symptoms may be severe, such as those occurring with heart attack, stroke, or blood clot.Plaque buildup inside the arteries reduces the blood flow. A heart attack may occur if the blood supply is reduced to the heart. A damaged heart muscle may not pump as well and can lead to heart failure. A stroke may occur if the blood supply is cut off to the brain. Severe pain and tissue death may occur if the blood supply is reduced to the arms and legs. Ayurveda classifies atherosclerosis as a Sanga – Deficient flow, also stagnation and accumulation; disorder of kapha origin affecting Vyana vayu in Raktavaha srota. The causative factor being Kapha affects meda dhatu – adipose tissue, particularly the meda dhatu agni – metabolism at the level of adipose tissue. Plaque buildup inside the arteries reduces the blood flow.Ayurveda has its own logic in approach towards treatment. Very broadly explained in dealing  so its better to follow principals of Ayurveda, which has best drugs ;which modify the body.   Thank you... click to follow health tips and treatments                 

CONSULTATIONS CONTACT: , 91-9972831762   Dr. Ramachandra B H          BAMS(Bachelor in Ayurveda medicine &surgery),BAMS(Emergency Allopathic medicine ),PGDYS (Post Graduate Diploma in Yogic Science ) Former District Ayush officer .