Atherosclerosis is a disease of the large and intermediate-sized arteries in which fatty lesions called atheromatous plaques develop on the inside surfaces of the arterial walls. These plaques begin by deposition of minute crystals of cholesterol in the intima and sublying smooth muscle.

With time, the crystals grow larger and coalesce to form large mat-like bed of crystals. In addition, the surrounding fibrous and smooth muscle tissues proliferate to form larger and larger plaques. The cholesterol deposits plus the cellular proliferation can become so large that the plaque bulges deeply into the lumen and greatly reduces blood flow, sometimes even to complete vessel occlusion. Even without occlusion, the fibroplasts of the plaque eventually deposit such extensive amounts of dense connective tissue that sclerosis (fibrosis) becomes so great that the arteries become stiff and unyielding.

Still later, calcium salts often precipitate with the cholesterol and other lipids of the plaques, leading to bony hard calcifications that make the arteries at time rigid tubes.

Both of these latter stages of the disease are called hardenings of the arteries.

Causes of arterial diseases

The factor most important in causing atherosclerosis or arterial disease is a high blood plasma concentration of cholesterol in the form of low-density lipoproteins.

The plasma concentration of these high-cholesterol low density lipoproteins is directly increased by increased saturated fat in the daily diet. To a lesser extent, it is also increased by increased cholesterol in the diet. Therefore, both or either of these dietary factors can contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

In some people with perfectly normal levels of cholesterol and lipoproteins, atherosclerosis will still develop. In most instances, the reasons are not known. Special factors that do predispose to atherosclerosis are

• Diabetes mellitus

• Hypothyroidism and

• Smoking

Prevention of atherosclerosis

By far the most important preventive measure against the development of atherosclerosis is to eat a low-fat diet that contains mainly unsaturated fat with low cholesterol content.

Garlic, turmeric, fenugreek seeds are some of the useful Ayurvedic herbs useful in treating Heart ailments. Hrdayarnava ras, hrthshanti syrup are some of the Ayurvedic based formulas useful in treating its functions.

Herbal Pack for Atherosclerosis

• Arjun Saar – 15 ml with equal quantity of water after meals

• Arjun Tea – boil with milk and water and have it in the form of Tea

• Healthy Heart support – 2 capsules twice daily after meals

Regular use of Arjun Saar helps improves pumping activity of heart, strength of the cardiac muscle and decreases LDL and VLDL Cholesterols.

Amla Saar, a powerful source of antioxidants reduces cholesterol and cholesterol induced atherosclerosis. It is a very good Remedy for Diabetes as well as Cardiac diseases.