Atherosclerosis :
Arteries carry oxygenated blood from the heart to different organs of the body. Due to an unhealthy lifestyle, plaque, which is composed of cholesterol, fat, and calcium, slowly gets deposited in the arteries, leading to the thickening of the arteries and slowly narrowing of the arteries, resulting in a decrease in the blood flow leading to ischemia. This can be formed in any artery of the body. Depending on their location, it is given its name. For example, if it happens in the heart, it is called coronary artery disease, if it forms in the abdomen, it is called mesenteric ischemia, if it forms in the renal artery, it is called renal artery stenosis and if it forms in peripheries, it is called as peripheral artery disease. Symptoms depend on the system where it is formed. A coronary artery disease patient might experience chest pain whereas a peripheral vascular disease patient might experience pain and claudication in the lower limbs. Unhealthy lifestyles like smoking, tobacco usage, lack of physical activity, and underlying diseases like uncontrolled blood sugars and hypertension are some of the causes of atherosclerosis. Diagnosis is done by a through physical examination and certain blood investigations. Treatment mainly includes an angiogram followed by angioplasty, along with the administration of medications like antiplatelets, antihypertensives, and statins.