Living with Atherosclerosis: My Journey Through Symptoms, Treatment, and Lifestyle Changes

You don’t expect a routine check-up to reveal anything significant, especially when you feel fine. That was my mindset before I was told about the plaque buildup in my arteries—atherosclerosis. It wasn’t just in one place; it was everywhere, including the aorta and even the cerebral arteries. The doctor explained that the symptoms I had been ignoring—occasional dizziness, some mild chest pain—were all signs of something far more serious. The hardest part to grasp was the idea that this hardening of my arteries wasn’t just an inconvenience; it was life-threatening. I remember sitting there, hearing terms like intracranial atherosclerosis and trying to wrap my head around what it meant for my future. The word sounded heavy, both in meaning and in pronunciation, and I knew this was something I had to take seriously. The first step was understanding what I was dealing with. The ICD-10 code for atherosclerosis became a frequent notation in my medical records, and I began researching everything from cerebral atherosclerosis causes to whether this condition could be reversed. The more I learned, the more I realized that this wasn’t something that would go away on its own. I needed a plan—a treatment plan that would address both the symptoms and the root causes. One thing that surprised me was how varied the symptoms could be. For instance, I learned that atherosclerosis in the legs could cause pain and discomfort that I had always chalked up to overexertion or aging. I also found out that coronary atherosclerosis could be the reason behind those occasional sharp pains in my chest—pains I had dismissed as nothing serious. The treatment options were both reassuring and daunting. For carotid atherosclerosis, there were medications that could help manage the condition, but the idea of being on drugs for the rest of my life wasn’t appealing. I also read about surgical options, which, while effective, sounded terrifying. The question of whether atherosclerosis of the aorta could be reversed weighed heavily on my mind, as I sifted through research and patient stories. I couldn’t ignore the impact this had on my mental health. The more I thought about it, the more anxious I became. I found myself lying awake at night, thinking about how the rigidity and hardening of my arteries were slowly stealing my future. But I didn’t want to be paralyzed by fear. Instead, I decided to focus on what I could control—my lifestyle. Diet and exercise became my new priorities. I learned that while reversing atherosclerosis completely might not be possible, slowing its progression certainly was. I adopted a heart-healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and started a consistent exercise routine. It wasn’t easy, but with each small change, I felt a little more in control. The hardest part was the uncertainty. Even with all the right medications and lifestyle changes, there were no guarantees. The doctor couldn’t promise that I’d never have a stroke or heart attack, only that I was doing everything I could to reduce the risk. The question, “Can atherosclerosis really be reversed?” remained at the back of my mind, but I tried not to dwell on it. Now, I’m living a life that’s more mindful than ever before. I’m aware of every bite of food, every step I take, and every check-up I attend. It’s a new reality, one that I never expected to face, but it’s mine now. I’m learning to live with it, to manage it, and most importantly, to not let it define me.