Page 55 - Petelin, Ana. 2021. Ed. Zdravje starostnikov / Health of the Elderly. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
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https://doi.org/10.26493/978-961-293-129-2.53-60

Nutrition of the elderly with atherosclerosis

Tilen Dolinar, Saša Kastelic, Andreja Kvas

University of Ljubljana: Faculty of Health Sciences, Ljubljana, Slovenia
tilen.dolinar@gmail.com; sasakast@gmail.com; andreja.kvas@zf.uni-lj.si
Abstract
Introduction and purpose: Atherosclerosis is a disease of the vascular
wall of the aorta and the middle and large arteries of the muscular
and elastic type. It is an advanced process that can remain without
symptoms and signs for a long time, and in the advanced stage it is
manifested by one or more manifestations, such as coronary heart
disease, stroke or peripheral vascular disease. It can begin in childhood
and progress with age, but it is also accelerated by risk factors. The main
risk factors include hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia and increased
concentration of low-density lipoproteins, arterial hypertension, obesity,
diabetes, smoking, lack of physical activity. Although the developed
atherosclerotic changes are irreversible, we can influence the rate of
disease progression, especially with a healthy lifestyle, ie a healthy
balanced diet and regular physical activity. Content presentation:
Atherosclerosis is a disease affecting the vascular aortic wall and the
middle and large elastic and muscular arteries. It is a progressive
condition whose symptoms and signs may not occur for a longer period
of time while the progressive stage may manifest itself via one or several
of its manifestations, including coronary artery disease (CAD), a brain
stroke, or Peripheral arterial disease (PAD). The disease may develop
in childhood and progress with age, although the risk of the latter
may be dramatically increased by certain risk factors. The main risk
factors include hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia and increased
concentration of low-density lipoproteins, arterial hypertension,
obesity, diabtes, smoking, and a lack of physical activity. Although
atherosclerosis causes irreversible changes, one can significantly
influence the progression of the latter with a healthy, balanced diet and
regular physical exercise. Conclusions: The occurrence of atherosclerosis
is associated with many factors that we can influence and factors that
we cannot influence ourselves. In our article, we focused mainly on
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