Question

Regarding Atherosclerosis and Peripheral Arterial Disease list 5 modifiable risk factors and explain how each contributes to the development of the condition

Answer 1

5 modifiable risk factors of Atherosclerosis and Peripheral Arterial Disease

1. Diabetes mellitus

Diabetes can damage the walls of your arteries, which increases the risk of developing the condition. High plasma glucose levels could induce carotid structural changes by promoting endothelial dysfunction and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation .Diabetic macroangiopathy, atherosclerosis secondary to DM, especially may cause cerebral vascular disorder, ischemic heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, or other vascular diseases, which are major causes of death in patients with DM and significantly reduce their quality of life

2.Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia might play an important role through the influx of lipids into the sites of vascular lesions. Recently, a large number of studies have been conducted to investigate whether drugs targeting Dyslipidemia could reduce the incidence of carotid atherosclerosis. Some cohort studies showed that lipid-lowering drugs and glucose-lowering drugs were protective against CIMT progression(Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Progression). The protective role of these drugs in atherosclerosis relies not only on their therapeutic effects on the pre-existing disease, but also on their direct protective effects on the arterial wall

3.high blood pressure

People with high blood pressure are more likely to develop coronary artery disease, because high blood pressure puts added force against the artery walls. Over time, this extra pressure can damage the arteries, making them more vulnerable to the narrowing and plaque buildup associated with atherosclerosis. and POVD

4.Smoking

Cigarette smoke aggravates both of the above risk factors for atherosclerosis in the following ways:

• Cholesterol: The toxins in tobacco smoke lower your high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL or "good" cholesterol) while raising levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL or "bad" cholesterol).6
• Nicotine and Carbon Monoxide: The nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke damage your endothelium, setting the stage for the build-up of plaque.7
• High Blood Pressure: While cigarette smoking won't cause high blood pressure, if you smoke and you also have hypertension, smoking can increase the risk of malignant hypertension, a dangerous form of high blood pressure.

5. Sedentary Life Style

the impairment of endothelial function and acceleration of atherosclerosis in inactive individuals compared with others. This suggest that sedentary lifestyle is associated with enhanced vascular oxidative stress, which, in turn, propagates vascular dysfunction. these mechanisms may contribute to the elevated cardiovascular event rates associated with physical inactivity in humans. . physical inactivity is a risk factor for vascular disease by promoting NADPH oxidase activity, resulting in increased vascular superoxide release and ultimately vascular dysfunction and atherosclerotic lesion formation. Physical activity is a powerful intervention to improve endothelial function and to prevent progression of atherosclerosis.