Modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors in the development of cerebrovascular atherosclerosis
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Dear Ask The Doctor: My husband has been told his arteries are hardening in his brain after and MRI, what causes this and what is the treatment? He's 48 years old.
Hardening of the arteries in the brain is also known as cerebrovascular atherosclerosis. Risk factors involved in this process are modifiable or non-modifiable. Non-modifiable risk factors for cerebral atherosclerosis include increasing age, and a positive family history. Modifiable risk factors include diabetes, smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. The most significant complication of cerebral atherosclerosis is stroke, either from a blockage to the blood supply to the brain tissue or a bleed into the brain tissue. Therefore it is important in your husband’s case to keep blood sugars regular, by increasing weight loss and physical activity, to prevent the development of type II diabetes. Blood pressure should be controlled either by lifestyle modifications or drug therapy. Smoking cessation is vital to prevent early atherosclerosis in addition to lowering bad cholesterol levels (LDL) and increasing dietary intake of good cholesterol level (HDL). Lifestyle adjustments are necessary, but if cholesterol levels remain high, statin therapy may be commenced. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 11 June 2010 )
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