What causes an arterial blockage?

Before knowing about the various causes of arterial blockage it is very important to understand what arterial blockage actually means. Well, the name clearly suggests that the disease is associated with the arteries and signifies some kind of obstruction. Arterial blockage, commonly known as Atherosclerosis in the medical world is a condition marked by the accumulation of fibrous and fatty substances inside the artery which hinder the normal flow of blood leading to coronary heart diseases. If left untreated, it can increase your chances of suffering a heart attack. The problem can be treated with the help of heart bypass surgery or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). There are a lot of hospitals where you can easily opt for heart bypass surgery in Delhi. 

The clogging of the arteries, as per the best heart specialist in Delhi, is extremely dangerous and can be caused by various different factors, the most important of these being plaque formation. Plaque is the main culprit behind various heart-related diseases including aortic stenosis. Patients suffering from this are subjected to a treatment known as TAVI heart valve replacement surgery, which is carried out by implanting a new graft besides the damaged valve or replacing the old valve completely. Aortic valve implantation in Delhi is one of the most commonly performed cardiological procedures after heart bypass surgery. 

A person experiencing arterial blockage experiences pain in the lower limbs accompanied by the weakening of the pulse in the legs. In such a scenario you are bound to experience leg cramps commonly known as intermittent claudication. Chest pain is a very common symptom and its intensity may vary depending upon the activity level of the patient.  

• Obesity is one of the major causes of arterial blockage and recent studies have shown that obese people are more prone to heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. Obesity leads to increased levels of cholesterol in the body which accumulates on the walls of the arteries in the form of plaque.
• Increased intake of salt can also lead to arterial blockage.
• The arterial blockage may also be triggered by an existing medical condition like diabetes and hypertension.
• The problem can also be triggered by old age.
• Excessive consumption of junk food, fast food and oily food is also a major cause of arterial blockage.
• The arterial blockage may also be a result of an injury sustained in an accident that critically damages the arteries.
• Smoking and consumption of alcohol can also damage your arteries leading to arterial blockage.
• Stagnant lifestyle also contributes to the problem as excessive stress can damage your arteries thereby increasing your vulnerability to coronary artery disease.
• A stagnant lifestyle which has become quite prevalent nowadays also greatly contributes to the problem.
• High levels of triglycerides in your blood can also lead to arterial blockage.
• Apart from the factors mentioned above, the arterial blockage may also be caused by various other factors that include sleep apnea which is marked by irregular breathing while we are sleeping. This leads to a sudden change in the blood oxygen levels which in turn leads to a rise in the blood pressure, thereby causing severe damage to the arteries.
• During pregnancy, the expecting mother can develop a condition known as preeclampsia which is marked by increased levels of protein in the urine. This can also increase the risks of developing an arterial blockage.

If you have a family history of heart attack, stroke or any other heart problem, it is important to visit a doctor frequently and get yourself checked for any sort of abnormality. Simple changes in your lifestyle and diet can help you to evade the problem.

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What are the precautions to take after heart bypass surgery?

Undergoing a heart bypass surgery is definitely not a small thing. The heart is one of the most sensitive organs of the human body and it is but natural that any surgery associated with it will be quite complicated. The increasing cases of coronary heart diseases in India have led to the growth of various heart bypass surgery hospitals in India. Bypass surgery aims at the replacement of a damaged artery in order to restore the normal flow of blood to various organs. This is done by using an artificially created graft. You can find one of the best heart bypass surgery hospitals in Delhi where you can easily avail for the best services.

Although heart bypass surgery is the best treatment for treating coronary heart diseases, however, it has to be kept in mind that the surgery needs to be followed up by proper precautionary measures in order to make it a success. The surgery is only a part of the treatment and what follows next matters the most. The leading cardiovascular surgeon in Delhi recommends certain guidelines and precautions to be followed after undergoing a heart bypass surgery in order to ensure healthy and fast healing. 

• After the surgery, the patient is directly shifted to the intensive care unit (ICU) where he/she is kept under keen observation for around 1 to 5 days. Once it is ensured that the patient is out of danger, he/she is shifted to the general ward and discharged within a week or two. The time taken for recovery depends upon the adversity of the disease as well as the age of the patient.
• Physiotherapy is to be started within a day or two to help the patient cope up with the surgery.
• On the first day following the surgery, the patient should take complete bed rest.
• On the second day, mild breathing and coughing exercises can be started.
• On the third day, the patient can start walking and this should be done twice or thrice a day.
• As the days increase, so does the intensity of the exercises.
• The sutures are removed within 10 days and the patient may be advised to use elastic support stockings to keep their leg in a raised position while sitting.
• Fatigue and weakness are quite natural after the surgery, hence it is advisable to take as much rest as possible.
• The patient should avoid indulging in rigorous physical activities.
• Avoid standing or sitting in one position for a long time.
• Driving should be avoided for the first few months following the surgery and even if you are on the passenger seat, do not travel for more than an hour at a stretch.
• Smoking and drinking are strictly prohibited.
• The diet of the patient should be free from unhealthy fats and cholesterol-rich food products.
• Salt consumption should also be minimised.
• In patients suffering from hypertension and diabetes, it is very important to keep their blood pressure and sugar levels under control.
• The wound could be cleaned and sterilized properly to avoid any sort of infection.
• The medicines prescribed by the doctor should be taken religiously.
• In case of persistent pain or discomfort, immediately consult your surgeon for proper guidance.

The doctors hailing from the best heart treatment hospitals in Delhi make it a point to inform their patients about all these precautionary measures such that there are minimal complications.

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