Define Hypertension & Arteriosclerosis
Hypertension is another word for high blood pressure, which is determined by the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries as it flows through them. Arteriosclerosis, on the other hand, is a progressive disease where your arterial wall thickens and loses its elasticity.
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Connection Between the Two
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According to the Mayo Clinic, hypertension can cause damage to your arteries, which can increase the risk of developing arteriosclerosis. Both conditions increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Shared Risk
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If you have the risk factors for one of these conditions, chances are good you are at risk for the other, as well. Some of the shared risk factors include: high cholesterol, obesity, lack of physical activity, and a family history of heart disease.
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The Diet Connection
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Diet plays a factor in both conditions. If you eat more than 2,300 mg of sodium per day, for example, and have other risks for high blood pressure, you may be more likely to develop hypertension. If you get more than 7 percent of your calories per day from saturated fat sources such as red meat, you may be putting yourself at risk for arteriosclerosis.
Possible Complications of Both Conditions
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Hypertension and arteriosclerosis put you at greater risk for aneurysms, strokes, heart failure and heart attacks.
Treatment for These Conditions
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Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and increased activity, can help improve or prevent both conditions. Medications, such as Caduet, now are able to treat both hypertension and high cholesterol (the leading cause of arteriosclerosis) with one pill, instead of multiple drugs.
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