Content
Aortic calcification is an alteration that occurs due to the accumulation of calcium inside the aortic artery, which reduces the elasticity of the artery and hinders the passage of blood, causing symptoms such as chest pain and easy tiredness, in addition to increasing the risk of serious complications such as heart attack or stroke.
Although it is a serious situation, when the treatment is done properly and with the proper monitoring by the cardiologist, it is possible to improve the symptoms and greatly reduce the risk of complications. In some cases, treatment may even help cure the calcification and prevent it from recurring.
In addition to aortic calcification, there may also be a situation known as atheromatous calcification, in which the accumulation of calcium occurs next to a fatty plaque, and is therefore more common in people who have uncontrolled high cholesterol. Better understand what is atheromatosis of the aorta and how to treat it.
The aorta is the red vessel in the abdomen
Main symptoms
Symptoms of aortic calcification can be difficult to identify, but they usually include:
- Pain in the chest or abdomen in the form of a twinge or tightness, especially during physical efforts;
- Easy tiredness;
- Heart palpitations;
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet;
- Increased urinary frequency;
- Dizziness when standing up or walking.
The diagnosis of aortic calcification can be made through exams such as angiography, ultrasound, X-ray, computed tomography or magnetic resonance. The doctor will recommend the test according to the person's characteristics, and may even order other types of tests to make a better assessment of cardiac function.
Possible causes of aortic calcification
The risk of aortic calcification increases with age and its main causes are:
- Accumulation of calcium in the aorta due to excessive calcium supplementation;
- Rheumatic fever, which can lead to a decrease in the size of the aorta, making it difficult for blood to pass;
- Complications of genetic heart disease, such as aortic valve defects;
- Renal insufficiency;
- Presence of atheromatous plaques, which are plaques formed by the accumulation of fat in blood vessels.
People who have high cholesterol, are overweight, who smoke or drink alcohol in an exaggerated way also have a higher risk of developing calcification in the aorta.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of aortic calcification should always be guided by a cardiologist, but it usually includes the use of medications to control cholesterol and some changes in lifestyle, especially in the diet.
Treatment with medicines
The drugs used to treat aortic calcification are the same as those used to lower cholesterol, such as simvastatin, atorvastatin and vytorin, as it is usually linked to high cholesterol and blood vessel clogging. In addition, people taking calcium supplements may need to adjust their dose, according to medical advice. See more examples of cholesterol-lowering drugs
However, in the most severe cases where the aorta is severely damaged and other complications appear, such as aortic aneurysm or total obstruction of that blood vessel, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove the calcium plaque from the artery or to bridge it saphenous vein, which will help restore normal blood circulation. See how bypass surgery is done.
Diet changes
To treat aortic calcification, the same care should be taken as the diet used to lower cholesterol, it is important to increase the consumption of fiber and decrease the intake of sugars and fats.
- What to eat: Through fruits and vegetables, you should eat more raw and leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbage, whole grains such as oats, chia and flaxseeds, and good fats present in olive oil and in fish such as salmon, sardines and tuna.
- What to avoid: fatty meats such as bacon, tripe, gizzards and liver, industrialized products such as packaged snacks and stuffed crackers, cakes, sweets in general, sausage, sausage and ham.
In addition to the diet, it is important to exercise regularly, stop smoking and avoid drinking alcohol. Find more dietary tips to lower cholesterol.
Along with healthy eating, home remedies can also be used to treat cholesterol and thereby prevent worsening of calcification of the aorta or other blood vessels. See more on home remedies and recipes to lower cholesterol.
Complications of aortic calcification
Aortic calcification increases the risk of cardiovascular problems, such as:
- Heart attack;
- Clogging of the aorta;
- Congestive heart failure;
- Aneurysm;
- Transient ischemic accident;
In addition, this disease can also complicate procedures such as placement of stent, which is a type of tube implanted within the blood vessel to facilitate the passage of blood in cases of atherosclerosis, for example.
Signs of improvement and worsening
Signs of improvement in aortic calcification are decreased tiredness and dizziness when standing up or making efforts, and the disappearance of chest pains.
Already the signs of worsening and complications of calcification appear mainly when the blood vessel is completely blocked, causing severe abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea. This pain occurs mainly 30 to 60 minutes after meals, when there is a greater effort by the abdomen to digest food.