The narrowing down of arteries causes atherosclerosis. It is a serious medical treatment and requires proper treatment, care and attention. However, one concerning thing about it is that ASCVD shows no signs when it initiates in your body. It is a slow, gradual process and can start as early as childhood. So, it slowly grows over time and becomes more serious.

After the age of 60, you might have to face ASCVD problem anytime. With calculators.tech cardiovascular risk calculator you can easily find out the risk attached to your heart, and how you can overcome these risks.

You will not face any symptoms until ASCVD will reach a serious level. Then, the signs you face will depend on the type of arteries being blocked, you’ll face different symptoms when the arteries to your heart will be narrowed and so on. Since it shows no sign and you cannot predict when it starts, it is utmost necessary that you begin to take care of yourself as soon as possible.

The care you are required to take is nothing serious. All you have to do is change your diet, try to eat healthier, and exercise. These are the two things that are utmost necessary for you even if you aren’t suffering from any type of disease.

Try to sketch out a diet plan that contains all the important nutrients and compounds that your body needs for proper functioning and follow it strictly. You can make some exceptions and cheat at least once a week.

Similarly, you must exercise at least five times out of a week. If you are unable to do so because of your busy schedule then try to do at least the minimum, like going for a walk every day.

Just like that, it is important you stay hydrated. These are the few steps that will shield you, not only from ASCVD but also every other fatal disease that can prove to be threatening.

However, ASCVD is something that can occur to anyone. So, you must be well aware of the process regarding its diagnosis and the treatment that you’ll have to undergo.

Diagnosis

Your doctor will diagnose you on the basis of you and your family’s medical history. You’ll have to undergo a physical exam and test results.

Physical Exam

In the physical exam, the doctor will listen to your arteries and the sound of blood flowing through it for an unusual ‘’whooshing’’. This sound is called ‘bruit’ and it is the sound of hindered or uneven flow of blood through your arteries.

If the sound is heard, this means that there is a plaque on the artery walls and it is causing the blood to not flow smoothly around the body. The doctors use a stethoscope for this activity. Also, there may be a very feeble or weak pulse below the affected artery. Sometimes, it is so feeble and soft that you’re unable to detect the pulse.

Similarly, if a limb is affected then it’ll have low blood pressure. If the doctor feels a pulsating bulge behind the abdomen or knee, it is a sign of an aneurysm.

If your blood flow is restricted to any part, the wounds you get will not heal. Your doctor might also look for these types of wounds around the body.

Chest x-ray

You may have to undergo a chest x-ray. It will show the pictures or your organs and inside the structure of the chest (like your blood vessels, heart and lungs etc.).

The x-ray can show whether or not there is heart failure.

Stress testing

In stress testing, you are made to exercise so your heartbeat fastens and your heart is made to work hard while the tests are being conducted. If due to some reason you cannot exercise, then you’ll be given medicine to make your heart beat fast and work hard.

How this works is that when you’re working, your heart needs blood and a lot of oxygen. If your arteries are narrowed, an adequate amount of blood will not be provided.

The signs of a stress test can show are listed below:

• Chest pain

• Shortness of breath

• Irregular change in blood pressure or heart rate

Blood test

Blood tests check for levels of cholesterol, sugar, protein and fats in your body. If the numbers are unusual then you may be at risk of ASCVD

Other tests

There are many other tests that the doctors may perform in order to check if you’re at risk of ASCVD.

ASCVD CALCULATOR

To make the process of calculating your risk of ASCVD easier, ASCVD calculators are available on the internet.

These calculators make the task a lot easier if you are not in the mood to go visit the hospital. The calculators are reliable and convenient. They are cost-free and accurate.

The calculators can accurately calculate your risk of ASCVD and you have to enter the required information.

This can come in handy as, if you are at risk then you can start with the precautionary measures and this can put a stop at atherosclerosis before it begins. This is life-saving since ASCVD shows no symptoms unless it becomes serious. So, you aren’t worried about anything in the least but with this facility, you can easily check if you should be concerned or not.

TREATMENT

The few treatment options in ASCVD are as below:

Surgery

Angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) are the two surgical procedures you may undergo.

In Angioplasty, your arteries are expanded and so, the blood flow is proper and smooth again. Similarly, CABG enhances and unblocks blood flow through arteries from other parts of the body.

Medicines

Medicines like Antiplatelet prevent the buildup of plaque or clots from forming. Numerous other medicines are also prescribed that help you in one way or the other.

Lifestyle change

This is another important thing. Lifestyle change has a big impact. You’ll be asked to ditch certain foods and adopt certain habits like exercising etc.

All of these will help you feel better and healthier.