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-BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT ARTERIOSCLEROSIS-

Arteriosclero sis is a malady which affects many people worldwide. It refers to the hardening of an individual's arteries and the gradual loss of elasticity in those blood vessels. Usually arteriosclerosis refers to the hardening of medium sized, or large sized, arteries, with the loss of elasticity in smaller blood vessels being a wholly different disorder. Unfortunately, this process is all too frequent and can lead to terrible health problems such as heart disease, stroke, and aneurysm. Therefore, those at risk for arteriosclerosis should be frequently seen by a medical professional with expertise in cardiovascular ailments.

-SYMPTOMS OF ARTERIOSCLEROSIS-

Due to its very nature, the symptoms of arteriosclerosis are often hard to recognize until they cause a serious medical emergency. This is due to the fact that the main symptom of the disease, namely the actual physical hardening of the arterial walls, is hidden from the patient and from their physicians. There are, however, certain symptoms which can be recognized beforehand.

For instance, hardening of the arteries directly around the area of the heart may lead to angina (chest pain). In extreme circumstances this chest pain will ultimately erupt into an actual cardiac episode, possibly even a heart attack. Chest pain of any degree, though, should be taken with the utmost seriousness and medical treatment should be sought immediately.

Likewise, numbness in the limbs, weakness, a light headed feeling, and dizziness can all be symptomatic of arteriosclerosis. These symptoms are usually present when the arteries which supply blood to the brain are being negatively affected. In severe cases this can lead to a stroke or aneurysm, either of which can be potentially fatal. Because of this, even slight changes in perception or feeling should be treated seriously and medical attention should be sought as quickly as possible.

Similarly, and somewhat less frequent in occurrence, there is the symptom of pain in the limbs. This is generally found as moderate-to-severe pain in the legs while standing or walking, though it can also take the form of pain in the arms, as well. This is often caused by arteriosclerosis constricting the blood flow to the limbs and causing painful muscular atrophy and nerve pain. This same sort of artery hardening can cause erectile dysfunction in some men, especially if they have a fairly serious manifestation of arteriosclerosis.

-TREATMENT OF ARTERIOSCLEROSIS-

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