Doctor Giang Minh Nhat, Deputy Head of the Cardiovascular Resuscitation Department at Nhan Dan Gia Dinh Hospital, stated on the sidelines of the hospital's scientific-technical conference on 1/8 that atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular mortality globally. Most cardiovascular deaths are linked to myocardial infarction, with atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries being the primary cause.

Atherosclerosis is a systemic condition affecting coronary arteries, cerebral arteries, or peripheral arteries. Notably, plaque formation can begin in adolescence and progress silently for years, not waiting until middle age. Combined with risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, hypertension, a family history of early cardiovascular disease, or certain gene mutations, atherosclerotic plaques develop faster, leading to myocardial infarction and stroke at younger ages than before.

According to Doctor Nhat, most cases of atherosclerosis present warning signs, but patients often overlook them. If atherosclerosis affects the coronary arteries, a typical symptom is chest pain during exertion, such as climbing stairs, exercising, or lifting heavy objects. Many young people dismiss this as muscle pain or chest wall pain and do not seek medical attention. However, a review of myocardial infarction patients' medical histories often reveals prior episodes of chest pain that went unnoticed.

Cerebral artery atherosclerosis can cause headaches, dizziness, or fainting. Peripheral artery atherosclerosis, particularly in the lower limbs, often leads to intermittent claudication: a cramping pain in the calf muscles when walking long distances or uphill, which subsides with rest.

The doctor noted that no current method can completely "reverse" existing atherosclerotic plaques. Treatment primarily focuses on early detection to slow progression and using medication to stabilize plaques, thereby reducing the risk of rupture and blood clot formation that could lead to myocardial infarction or stroke. Surgical removal of plaques is reserved for specific cases.

Recommendations suggest that not everyone requires specialized screening. Individuals without a history of myocardial infarction or stroke should have their cardiovascular risk assessed by a doctor during routine health check-ups, considering age, gender, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids, and other factors. If the risk is low, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is sufficient. Those with medium to high risk may be advised to undergo further specialized tests for early detection and timely treatment of atherosclerosis.

Many hospitals now offer diagnostic tools for atherosclerosis, such as ankle-brachial index measurements and coronary computed tomography angiography to assess coronary artery calcification scores. These indicators help detect atherosclerosis even before symptoms appear.

Testing sample collection at Nhan Dan Gia Dinh Hospital. *Photo courtesy of the hospital*

Regarding treatment, the doctor emphasized the need for simultaneous control of multiple risk factors. Individuals with hypertension must manage their blood pressure effectively; those with dyslipidemia need to lower their LDL cholesterol to target levels; diabetic patients must control their blood sugar; and obese individuals should lose weight. Addressing multiple factors concurrently proves more effective in slowing atherosclerotic plaque progression than treating a single factor in isolation.

For prevention, physical activity is considered the most crucial measure. The doctor recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, equivalent to about 30-40 minutes per session, for a minimum of three sessions weekly. Additionally, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting salt intake for hypertension, reducing starches and sugars for diabetes, quitting smoking, and restricting alcohol consumption are vital.

According to Doctor Nhat, many people mistakenly believe that only overweight individuals suffer from dyslipidemia. In reality, blood lipid levels are influenced by both genetic factors and lifestyle, meaning even lean individuals can develop the condition if they carry unfavorable genes or are physically inactive.

For young people, modern lifestyles contribute to earlier atherosclerosis progression. Physical inactivity, prolonged sitting, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, coupled with stress, depression, and chronic insomnia, all elevate the risk of hypertension, diabetes, myocardial infarction, and accelerate atherosclerosis.

Le Phuong