Calcified arteries
Calcified arteries occur when calcium deposits accumulate in the arterial walls, causing the arteries to become stiff, hardened, and narrowed. This condition, known as arteriosclerosis or vascular calcification, reduces arterial elasticity and restricts blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications.
Symptoms
Calcified arteries often progress silently, showing few or no symptoms until blood flow becomes significantly restricted. Common signs include:
Angina: Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
Claudication: Pain or cramping in the legs while walking due to poor circulation.
Shortness of Breath: Resulting from decreased oxygen supply to the heart.
Fatigue: Persistent tiredness due to inadequate blood flow and oxygen delivery to tissues.
Coronary angiography and angioplasty
Renal Angioplasty
Coronary Angiography
Left Main Angioplasty
Pre-Procedure Assessment
Calcified Arteries
Pacemaker Implantation
Valvular Heart Disease
Endovascular Graft Repair
Device Closures
Peripheral Interventions
Renal Angioplasty
Non Invasive Cardiology
Diagnosis
Early detection is crucial for managing calcified arteries. Diagnostic methods include:
X-rays: Identify calcification in large arteries.
CT Scans: Provide detailed imaging of calcium deposits.
Ultrasound: Measures blood flow and detects calcified plaques.
Coronary Artery Calcium (CAC) Score: A specialized CT scan that quantifies calcium buildup in the coronary arteries, helping assess heart disease risk.
Treatment Options
Lifestyle Changes
Healthy Diet: Emphasize fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins while reducing saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium.
Exercise: Engage in regular aerobic activity to boost circulation and heart health.
Quit Smoking: Smoking accelerates arterial damage and calcification.
Medications
Statins: Help lower cholesterol and slow plaque buildup.
Antihypertensives: Maintain healthy blood pressure levels.
Antiplatelet Drugs: Reduce the risk of blood clots that can block narrowed arteries.
Interventional Procedures
Angioplasty: A catheter with a balloon is inflated inside the artery to open narrowed areas, often followed by stent placement to keep it open.
Atherectomy: Removes plaque using a catheter equipped with a rotating blade or laser.
Surgical Options
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): Redirects blood flow around a blocked artery using a healthy blood vessel graft.
Endarterectomy: Surgically removes plaque buildup from the artery wall.
Advances in Treatment
Drug-Eluting Stents (DES): Stents that slowly release medication to prevent the artery from narrowing again.
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL): A cutting-edge technique using sound waves to break up calcium deposits, making angioplasty safer and more effective.
Plaque Modification Devices: Technologies like rotational and orbital atherectomy that modify or remove hardened plaque to improve blood flow and stent placement.
Prevention
Balanced Diet & Exercise: Adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle to reduce plaque formation.
Manage Chronic Conditions: Control diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension.
Regular Health Check-Ups: Routine monitoring for early detection of calcification and cardiovascular risks.
