Pathologically, there are three manifestations of atherosclerosis. First, there are many yellow or white atherosclerotic fatty plaques in the inner layer of the arterial wall, whose main component is cholesterol, which is called atherosclerosis. Second, the middle layer of arterial wall loses elastic fibers and gradually becomes stiff; There is also arteriosclerosis of arterioles, such as renal artery and retinal artery, which is usually referred to as atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is the most common type of arteriosclerosis. Its clinical manifestations are mainly ischemic signs of the affected organs in different degrees. For example, cerebral arteriosclerosis can cause cerebral ischemia and brain atrophy or cause cerebral vascular rupture and bleeding; Coronary atherosclerosis, if the diameter stenosis reaches more than 5%, can produce angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia and sudden death. Therefore, preventing atherosclerosis can reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, which is of great significance to prolong healthy life.
The preventive measures of atherosclerosis mainly include the following aspects:
1. Reasonable diet
The most important principle of diet therapy is to limit fat intake. It is not advisable to eat too much animal fat (mainly saturated fatty acids), eat less fat and big oil, and eat more fish, vegetable oil and bean products with more unsaturated fatty acids. In addition, eat less sweets, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, ensure adequate supply of vitamins, beneficial nutrients such as potassium and calcium, and plant fiber, and take a moderate amount of salt (6-8g/day), do not smoke, and drink less or no alcohol.
2. Physical activity
Actively participate in physical exercise and physical activity. The best choice is aerobic exercise such as jogging, walking and swimming, which has the best effect on preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Reasonable and scientific exercise can increase high density lipoprotein in the body, which is beneficial to protect cardiovascular system.
3. Combination of work and rest and mental adjustment
Learn to relax, avoid mental tension, worry and anxiety, and live regularly. Use the brain frequently, but prevent excessive use of the brain.
4. Actively prevent and treat diseases
People with family history of hypertension, coronary heart disease and diabetes should pay attention to the changes of blood pressure and blood lipid in time and take early measures.