🩺 1. Early symptoms of arteriosclerosis
The early symptoms of arteriosclerosis are hidden and easy to be ignored. If the following symptoms occur, be alert to vascular diseases:
Insufficient blood supply to the brain
Dizziness and headache: transient dizziness (such as when changing body position), or persistent dull pain, caused by reduced cerebral blood flow14.
Memory loss: distraction, recent memory loss (such as forgetting what you just did)14.
Sleep disorders: insomnia, dreaming, easy awakening or night sweats, related to brain tissue ischemia13.
Heart/chest discomfort
Chest tightness or chest pain: a sense of pressure in the precordial area after fatigue, which can be relieved by rest (indicating coronary artery stenosis)49.
Abnormal limb circulation
Numbness and pain in the lower limbs: sore calf muscles when walking (intermittent claudication), relieved after rest; cold legs and feet, night cramps (not simple calcium deficiency)39.
Upper limb weakness: numbness in the arms, unstable holding4.
Signals from other organs
Blurred vision: Retinal arteriosclerosis causes blurred vision4.
Tinnitus or hearing loss: The inner ear is sensitive to hypoxia and symptoms appear earlier than the brain1.
Indigestion: Mesenteric arteriosclerosis causes abdominal pain and constipation35.
⚠️ Note: Early symptoms are often ignored because they are “relieved after rest”. If the pulse is abnormal + any of the above symptoms, it is recommended to see a doctor as soon as possible.
💊 2. Treatment and intervention of early arteriosclerosis
The early stage of arteriosclerosis (fatty streak stage/fibrous plaque stage) is reversible! Multi-pronged intervention is required:
1. Lifestyle adjustment (core measures)
Diet optimization:
✅ Less red meat/processed meat: Adding 50 grams of processed red meat per day will increase cardiovascular risk by 26%9.
✅ Eat more plant-based foods: whole grains (oats, brown rice), dark vegetables (spinach, broccoli), nuts (30 grams per day), fish (rich in ω-3)29.
❌ Limit salt and sugar: daily salt <6g; control sugar to reduce vascular oxidative damage79.
Regular exercise: ≥150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise (brisk walking, swimming) per week to improve vascular elasticity17.
Quit smoking and limit alcohol: smoking directly damages the vascular endothelium, and daily alcohol intake should be ≤25g28.
Stress management: meditation, adequate sleep (7-8 hours), and avoid long-term stress that aggravates sclerosis37.
2. Drug intervention (doctor evaluation required)
Lipid-lowering drugs: Statins (such as atorvastatin) reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and slow plaque formation26.
Antiplatelet drugs: low-dose aspirin prevents thrombosis and is suitable for medium- and high-risk groups (such as those with diabetes)210.
Control underlying diseases:
Hypertension: ACEI/ARB (such as valsartan) also protects blood vessels68.
Diabetes: Metformin controls sugar and reduces vascular glycosylation damage26.
3. Regular monitoring and early screening
Vascular elasticity test: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) assesses arterial stiffness and detects plaques earlier than ultrasound8.
Routine examination: blood lipids, blood sugar, blood pressure (1-2 times a year); carotid ultrasound (screening recommended for people over 40 years old)78.
🥦 III. Key points
Do not ignore intervention due to “asymptomatic”: arteriosclerosis often begins in adolescence (progression accelerates after the age of 30), and the early reversal window is limited78.
Warning significance of TCM pulse: A stringy and hard pulse may reflect increased vascular stiffness, which needs to be clarified in combination with modern medical examinations8.
Beware of “hidden risks”: Even if there are no symptoms, people with diabetes, long-term sitting, and family history should strictly control fat and blood pressure58.
💎 Summary and suggestions
Take immediate action: adjust the diet structure + start regular exercise (such as brisk walking for 30 minutes a day), and make an appointment for cardiovascular examination.
Checklist: four blood lipids, fasting blood sugar, blood pressure, carotid ultrasound, PWV test.
Follow-up requirements: If early sclerosis is confirmed, blood lipids/blood pressure should be checked every 3-6 months; medications should be taken regularly and long-term.
Early arteriosclerosis is a “silent alarm”, but timely intervention can significantly delay or even reverse the disease. Starting today, optimizing lifestyle habits and combining medical monitoring can effectively protect vascular health.