K.N.O.W. Home Health - ATHEROSCLEROSIS

ATHEROSCLEROSIS

What is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a disease that affects your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your heart to the rest of your body. In atherosclerosis, the inside walls of your arteries get clogged with a sticky substance called plaque. This plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, and other things found in your blood.

Over time, the plaque gets hard and makes it harder for blood to flow. This can lead to serious problems like heart attacks, strokes, or poor circulation in your legs.

What Causes Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis can be caused by:

Eating too much unhealthy fat and cholesterol
Smoking
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Not exercising
Being overweight
Family history of heart disease

How Can I Prevent Atherosclerosis?

Good news! There are ways to help prevent atherosclerosis:

Eat healthy foods
Exercise often
Don’t smoke
Keep a healthy weight
Manage your blood sugar if you have diabetes
Take your medications as ordered
Visit your doctor regularly

What Diet Is Best for Atherosclerosis?

Try to eat:

More fruits and vegetables
Whole grains like brown rice and oatmeal
Lean meats like chicken or turkey (no skin)
Fish like salmon or tuna (baked or grilled)
Low-fat dairy like milk or yogurt
Healthy fats like olive oil and nuts (in small amounts)

Avoid:

Fried foods
Fast food
Sugary snacks and drinks
Too much salt
Fatty red meat and full-fat dairy

Drink plenty of water every day and try to limit sodas and juices.

When Should I Call My Home Health Nurse or Doctor?

Call your home health nurse or doctor if you:

Have chest pain that comes and goes
Feel very tired even after resting
Have trouble breathing while doing simple things
Feel dizzy often
Have swelling in your feet or legs

When Should I Go to the Emergency Room (ER)?

Go to the ER right away if you:

Have chest pain that won’t go away
Feel like you can’t breathe
Have sudden numbness or weakness in your face, arms, or legs (especially on one side)
Can’t speak clearly or understand others
Feel like you’re going to pass out

These may be signs of a heart attack or stroke and are very serious. Don’t wait — call 911 or have someone take you to the ER.

Patient Homework/Assessment

Please read each statement and choose True or False Please correct the False statements.

True or False: Atherosclerosis happens when the arteries get clogged with plaque.
True or False: Plaque is made of fruit and vegetables.
True or False: Atherosclerosis can make it harder for blood to flow through your body.
True or False: Smoking helps protect your heart from atherosclerosis.
True or Fals: Exercise can help prevent atherosclerosis.
True or False: Eating fried foods every day is good for your heart.
True or False: A heart attack can happen if an artery gets blocked
True or False: You should call your doctor if you have chest pain that comes and goes.
True or False: It’s okay to ignore swelling in your legs if it doesn’t hurt.
True or False: High blood pressure can cause atherosclerosis.
True or False: It’s safe to eat fast food every day if you don’t have chest pain.
True or False: Whole grains and fruits are good for your heart.
True or False: You should eat a lot of sugar to prevent atherosclerosis.
True or False: Feeling dizzy can be a reason to call your doctor.
True or False: You should go to the ER if your chest pain won’t go away.
True or False: Olive oil is a healthy fat in small amounts.
True or False: Sudden numbness or trouble speaking could be signs of a stroke.
True or False: You don’t need to visit your doctor if you feel fine.
True or False: Being overweight can increase your risk of atherosclerosis.
True or False: Drinking water is a healthy choice for your heart.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Have you noticed any chest pain, tightness, or pressure, especially during physical activity or stress?

Do you experience shortness of breath, fatigue, or dizziness that limits your daily activities?

What is your current diet and exercise routine, and how consistent are you with heart-healthy habits like low-sodium or low-fat foods?

Have you been told about your cholesterol, blood pressure, or blood sugar levels recently, and are you taking any medications to manage these?

True – Atherosclerosis happens when plaque builds up and clogs the arteries.
False – Plaque is made of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the blood, not fruits and vegetables.
True – The plaque buildup narrows the arteries, making it harder for blood to flow.
False – Smoking damages the arteries and makes atherosclerosis worse.
True – Regular exercise helps keep arteries healthy and lowers your risk.
False – Fried foods are high in unhealthy fats that can clog arteries.
True – A blocked artery can stop blood flow to the heart and cause a heart attack.
True – Ongoing or repeated chest pain can be a sign of heart trouble and should be checked.
False – Swelling in the legs can be a sign of poor circulation or heart problems and should be reported.
True – High blood pressure can damage arteries and lead to plaque buildup.
False – Fast food is often high in salt and unhealthy fats, even if you don’t have symptoms now.
True – Whole grains and fruits contain fiber and nutrients that are heart-healthy.
False – Too much sugar can harm your heart and raise your risk for diabetes and atherosclerosis.
True – Dizziness can be a symptom of circulation or heart problems and should be discussed with your doctor.
True – Chest pain that doesn’t go away can mean a heart attack—go to the ER right away.
True – Olive oil is a healthy fat that can be good for your heart when used in small amounts.
True – Numbness, weakness, or trouble speaking can be signs of a stroke—get emergency help fast.
False – Regular checkups are important even if you feel fine to catch problems early.
True – Extra weight increases the risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease.
True – Water helps your body work well and is better for your heart than sugary drinks.