Sclerosis of the aorta (atherosclerosis) is a chronic disease manifested by the penetration of lipids into the inner lining of the aorta and the growth of connective tissue in the affected areas. It causes a narrowing of the lumen of the blood vessel, an increase in the density of its wall, and in some cases an aneurysm of the artery.
Sclerosis of the aorta usually occurs from a violation of the proportion of the content in the blood plasma of various classes of lipoproteins. Some of them contribute to the transfer of cholesterol into the vascular wall, while others interfere with this process. As a rule, the imbalance of lipoproteins is hereditary, transmitted from generation to generation. Perhaps the appearance of acquired atherosclerosis from eating a large amount of food with a high content of cholesterol, such as animal fats. Aortic sclerosis is very common in people who have high blood pressure, are obese, smokers, and lack movement.
In the initial stage of the disease under the inner wall of the aorta, especially in its thoracic part, yellow flat spots of various sizes appear. The spots contain cholesterol, which gives them their color. Throughfor a certain time, many lipid spots dissolve and disappear, but some, on the contrary, grow, occupying a large space.
The growth of lipid mass occurs in all directions. In this case, the aorta is sealed. The predominant growth of the focus in the cavity of the vessel causes the appearance of cholesterol plaques on the inner wall. After some time, they grow into connective tissue, lose elasticity and cause narrowing of the lumen of the blood-conducting organ.
Irreversible processes also take place inside the plaque itself. The overgrowth of the overlay entails squeezing of the blood vessels that feed the aorta itself, causing the formation of necrotic areas and decomposition of tissues within the plaque. Multiple fusion of small necrotic foci leads to the appearance of extensive atheromatosis. Damage to the middle layer of a blood vessel reduces the strength and elasticity of its wall, which is the cause of an aneurysm, at the site of which aortic rupture is not ruled out.
Clinically, the disease manifests itself in a very diverse way, while the signs vary depending on the localization of the process. The defeat of the coronary arteries is expressed by a violation of the heart, the appearance of coronary disease, angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia and myocardial infarction. Long-term ischemia, as well as multiple heart attacks of the heart muscle, can cause its ruptures. In their place, connective tissue scars (cardiosclerosis) are formed. The release of blood in this course becomes minimal, heart failure develops.
Sclerosis of the aorta can cause its aneurysm, which is characterized by a sharp expansion of this blood vessel. As a result of this, other nearby organs are compressed, their functionality is impaired. In some cases, an aneurysm causes dissection and rupture of the affected area of the aorta.
Sclerosis of the arteries supplying blood to the brain is manifested by a decrease in the memory of a sick person, especially for events that have occurred recently. This disease is accompanied by dizziness, a change in the patient's personality. It is noticed that a thrifty person with this disease turns into a miser, a sensual person becomes weak-hearted.
Involvement in the process of the arteries of the abdominal region is accompanied by pain in the abdomen (abdominal toad). The defeat of atherosclerosis of the mesenteric vascular highways ends with the necrosis of the intestine. Clinically, this is manifested by severe pain in the abdomen and obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract.
This is only a small part of the pathological manifestations caused by aortic sclerosis. Due to the fact that most of these diseases are difficult and expensive to treat, the main attention should be paid to the prevention of this serious disease.
