"...don't give much thought to our arteries. That's especially true when we are young and think we can eat anything we want.
But here's a news flash: plaque begins to build in your blood vessels during your teenage years. That means that
most of us have a significant amount of plaque by the time we hit middle age.
That can, in turn, lead to a condition called atherosclerosis - which can set you up for a heart attack or stroke.
Atherosclerosis evolves over many years as the blood vessels gradually become narrowed or blocked by plaque. Plaque is a fatty substance made up of cholesterol, triglycerides, calcium and a blood-clotting material called fibrin, which causes the endothelium tissue that lines the artery to malfunction.
In response, the endothelium releases a chemical that creates a sticky surface which attracts other cells. Over time, this build-up narrows the arteries and causes blood flow to slow. Ultimately, this narrowing will prevent the heart from getting the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function properly.
A heart attack usually starts when this plaque ruptures and forms a dangerous blood clot. The clot may stay put or it may travel down an artery until it hits another obstructed area. If it does travel, it may block up to 95 percent of the blood flow. There may even be a complete blockage of the artery.
Thinning the blood and
making the blood cells less sticky temporarily allows more blood to flow
through an area with blockages. That's why warfarin, nitroglycerin tablets, and even aspirin have found ..." ... read more....
"If people let the
government decide what
foods they eat and what
medicines they take, their
bodies will soon be in as
sorry a state as are the
souls of those who live
under tyranny."
-- Thomas
Jefferson