Sometimes these blood clots break off, travel through the bloodstream, and block an artery elsewhere in the body. Similarly, pieces of the plaque can break off and travel through the bloodstream and block an artery elsewhere. Some risk factors for atherosclerosis can be modified see also Prevention of coronary artery disease Prevention Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is partially or completely blocked.
Having a family history of early atherosclerosis that is, having a close male relative who developed the disease before age 55 or having a close female relative who developed the disease before age There are many risk factors that are still being studied, such as high levels of C-reactive protein an inflammatory protein in the blood, high levels of some components of cholesterol such as apolipoprotein B or lipoprotein a , and psychosocial factors such as anxiety and low socioeconomic status.
One of the most important modifiable risk factors is smoking. Using other forms of tobacoo, such as snuff and chewing tobacco, also increases risk. In people who already have a high risk of heart disease, tobacco use is particularly dangerous. Tobacco use causes arteries already narrowed by atherosclerosis to constrict, further decreasing the amount of blood reaching the tissues.
Most often, doctors use the term peripheral arterial disease to describe poor circulation Symptoms depend People who quit using tobacco have only half the risk of those who continue to use tobacco—regardless of how long they smoked before quitting.
Quitting also decreases the risk of death after coronary artery bypass surgery or a heart attack and the risk of illness and death in people who have peripheral arterial disease.
The benefits of quitting tobacco use begin immediately and increase with time. It should be avoided. A high level of LDL cholesterol is another important modifiable risk factor.
A diet that is high in saturated fats see Types of Fat Types of Fat Coronary artery disease is a condition in which the blood supply to the heart muscle is partially or completely blocked. Cholesterol levels also increase as people age and are normally higher in men than in women, although levels increase in women after menopause. Several hereditary disorders result in high levels of cholesterol or other fats.
People with these hereditary disorders can have extremely high levels of cholesterol and if untreated die of coronary artery disease at an early age.
Lowering high LDL cholesterol levels through the use of drugs can significantly reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death. Many types of lipid-lowering drugs are available see table Lipid-Lowering Drugs Lipid-Lowering Drugs Dyslipidemia is a high level of lipids cholesterol, triglycerides, or both or a low high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol level. Statins are the most common type.
Not all high cholesterol levels increase the risk of atherosclerosis. A high level of HDL good cholesterol decreases the risk of atherosclerosis. High-risk people, such as those who have diabetes or atherosclerotic heart disease or have had a heart attack, stroke, or bypass surgery, benefit from high doses of statins to lower their LDL cholesterol as much as possible.
However, the percentage of HDL cholesterol in relation to total cholesterol is a more reliable measure of risk than is the total or LDL cholesterol level. High triglyceride levels are often associated with low HDL cholesterol levels. However, evidence suggests that high triglyceride levels alone may also slightly increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Uncontrolled high blood pressure High Blood Pressure High blood pressure hypertension is persistently high pressure in the arteries.
Reducing high blood pressure clearly lowers risk. People who have diabetes mellitus Diabetes Mellitus DM Diabetes mellitus is a disorder in which the body does not produce enough or respond normally to insulin, causing blood sugar glucose levels to be abnormally high. Major causes are diabetes and high blood pressure People with diabetes also tend to develop atherosclerosis in large arteries. Atherosclerosis tends to develop at an earlier age and more extensively than it does in people who do not have diabetes.
The risk of developing atherosclerosis is 2 to 6 times higher for people with diabetes, particularly women. Women who have diabetes, unlike those who do not, are not protected from atherosclerosis before menopause. People who have diabetes have the same risk of death as someone who has had a prior heart attack, and doctors usually try to help these people keep other risk factors such as high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure under careful control.
Obesity Obesity Obesity is excess body weight. Obesity is influenced by a combination of factors, which usually results in consuming more calories than the body needs. These factors may include physical inactivity Abdominal obesity increases the risk of other risk factors for atherosclerosis: high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and high cholesterol levels. Losing weight reduces the risk of all these disorders. Physical inactivity appears to increase the risk of developing coronary artery disease, and much evidence suggests that regular exercise even to a moderate degree reduces this risk and decreases mortality.
Exercise can also help modify other risk factors for atherosclerosis—by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels and by helping with weight loss and decreasing insulin resistance. There is substantial evidence that regular vegetable and fruit consumption can decrease the risk of coronary artery disease.
It is unclear whether fruits and vegetables appear beneficial due to the substances phytochemicals they contain, or whether people who eat a lot of fruits and vegetables also eat less saturated fat and are more likely to take fiber and vitamins. However, phytochemicals called flavonoids in red and purple grapes, red wine, black teas, and dark beers appear especially protective. High concentrations in red wine may help explain why the French have a relatively low incidence of coronary artery disease, even though they use more tobacco and consume more fat than Americans do.
But no studies prove that eating flavonoid-rich foods or using supplements instead of foods prevents atherosclerosis. Increased fiber content in certain vegetables may decrease total cholesterol and may decrease blood glucose and insulin levels. However, excessive fiber interferes with the absorption of certain minerals and vitamins. In general, foods rich in phytochemicals and vitamins are also rich in fiber.
Fat is an essential part of the diet. We have answers. Our FREE cholesterol guide will help you understand and manage your cholesterol, so you can take action and live healthy! Atherosclerosis and cholesterol Plaque fatty deposits build up in your arteries is called atherosclerosis. This can lead to conditions such as: Coronary heart disease plaque in arteries in or leading to the heart Angina chest pain from reduced blood flow to the heart muscle Carotid artery disease plaque in neck arteries supplying blood to the brain Peripheral artery disease , or PAD plaque in arteries of the extremities, especially the legs Chronic kidney disease Plaque presents a double threat Plaque itself can pose a risk.
In either case, the artery can be blocked, cutting off blood flow. How it starts and how it progresses Atherosclerosis is a slow, lifelong progression of changes in the blood vessels that may start in childhood and get worse faster as you age. Last Reviewed: Nov 6, Watch, Learn and Live See your cardiovascular system in action with our interactive illustrations and animations.
It's not clear exactly how atherosclerosis starts or what causes it. However, a gradual buildup of plaque or thickening due to inflammation occurs on the inside of the walls of the artery. This reduces blood flow and oxygen supply to the vital body organs and extremities.
Signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis may develop gradually, and may be few, as the plaque gradually builds up in the artery. Symptoms may also vary depending on the affected artery.
However, when a major artery is blocked, signs and symptoms may be severe, such as those occurring with heart attack, stroke, or blood clot. The symptoms of atherosclerosis may look like other heart conditions.
See your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. First, your doctor will do a complete medical history and physical exam. You may also have one or more of these tests:. Cardiac catheterization. With this procedure, a long thin tube catheter is passed into the coronary arteries. X-rays are taken after a dye is injected into an artery to locate the narrowing, blockages, and other abnormalities of specific arteries.
Doppler sonography. A special probe is used to direct sound waves into a blood vessel to evaluate blood flow. An audio receiver amplifies the sound of the blood moving though the vessel. Faintness or absence of sound may mean there is a blockage. This is used to identify narrowing of the blood vessels of the abdomen, neck, or legs. A cardiac CT scan also can show whether calcium has built up in the walls of the coronary heart arteries.
This may be an early sign of CHD. During stress testing , you exercise to make your heart work hard and beat fast while heart tests are done.
If you can't exercise, you may be given medicine to make your heart work hard and beat fast. When your heart is working hard, it needs more blood and oxygen. Plaque-narrowed arteries can't supply enough oxygen-rich blood to meet your heart's needs.
As part of some stress tests, pictures are taken of your heart while you exercise and while you rest. These imaging stress tests can show how well blood is flowing in various parts of your heart. They also can show how well your heart pumps blood when it beats.
Angiography an-jee-OG-ra-fee is a test that uses dye and special x rays to show the inside of your arteries. This test can show whether plaque is blocking your arteries and how severe the blockage is. A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is put into a blood vessel in your arm, groin upper thigh , or neck. Dye that can be seen on an x-ray picture is injected through the catheter into the arteries.
By looking at the x-ray picture, your doctor can see the flow of blood through your arteries. Other tests are being studied to see whether they can give a better view of plaque buildup in the arteries. Treatments for atherosclerosis may include heart-healthy lifestyle changes , medicines, and medical procedures or surgery. The goals of treatment include:.
Your doctor may recommend heart-healthy lifestyle changes if you have atherosclerosis. Heart-healthy lifestyle changes include heart-healthy eating , aiming for a healthy weight , managing stress , physical activity and quitting smoking. For example, you also may need statin medications to control or lower your cholesterol.
By lowering your blood cholesterol level, you can decrease your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. Doctors usually prescribe statins for people who have:. Doctors may discuss beginning statin treatment with people who have an elevated risk for developing heart disease or having a stroke.
Your doctor also may prescribe other medications to:. Take all medicines regularly, as your doctor prescribes. You should still follow a heart healthy lifestyle, even if you take medicines to treat your atherosclerosis.
PCI can improve blood flow to the heart and relieve chest pain. Sometimes a small mesh tube called a stent is placed in the artery to keep it open after the procedure. Coronary artery bypass grafting CABG is a type of surgery. In CABG, arteries or veins from other areas in your body are used to bypass or go around your narrowed coronary arteries.
CABG can improve blood flow to your heart, relieve chest pain, and possibly prevent a heart attack. Bypass grafting also can be used for leg arteries. For this surgery, a healthy blood vessel is used to bypass a narrowed or blocked artery in one of the legs. The healthy blood vessel redirects blood around the blocked artery, improving blood flow to the leg.
Carotid endarterectomy is a type of surgery to remove plaque buildup from the carotid arteries in the neck. This procedure restores blood flow to the brain, which can help prevent a stroke. Adopting a healthy lifestyle may help you prevent or delay atherosclerosis and the problems it can cause.
This, along with ongoing medical care, can help you avoid the problems of atherosclerosis and live a long, healthy life. Researchers continue to look for ways to improve the health of people who have atherosclerosis or may develop it.
If you have atherosclerosis, work closely with your doctor and other health care providers to avoid serious problems, such as heart attack and stroke. Follow your treatment plan and take all of your medicines as your doctor prescribes. Your doctor will let you know how often you should schedule office visits or blood tests. Be sure to let your doctor know if you have new or worsening symptoms. Having an atherosclerosis-related disease may cause fear, anxiety, depression, and stress.
Talk about how you feel with your doctor. Talking to a professional counselor also can help. If you're very depressed, your doctor may recommend medicines or other treatments that can improve your quality of life. Community resources are available to help you learn more about atherosclerosis. Contact your local public health departments, hospitals, and local chapters of national health organizations to learn more about available resources in your area.
Talk about your lifestyle changes with your family and friends—whoever can provide support or needs to understand why you're changing your habits. Family and friends may be able to help you make lifestyle changes. For example, they can help you plan healthier meals.
Because atherosclerosis tends to run in families, your lifestyle changes may help many of your family members too. Learn more about participating in a clinical trial. View all trials from ClinicalTrials.
Visit Children and Clinical Studies to hear experts, parents, and children talk about their experiences with clinical research. Also known as Arteriosclerosis , Hardening of arteries. What Is - Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis Figure A shows a normal artery with normal blood flow. The inset image shows a cross-section of a normal artery.
Figure B shows an artery with plaque buildup. The inset image shows a cross-section of an artery with plaque buildup. Atherosclerosis-Related Diseases Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in the body, including arteries in the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis, and kidneys.
Ischemic Heart Disease Ischemic heart disease happens when the arteries of the heart cannot deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the tissues of the heart when it is needed during periods of stress or physical effort. Carotid Artery Disease Carotid ka-ROT-id artery disease occurs if plaque builds up in the arteries on each side of your neck the carotid arteries.
Peripheral Artery Disease Peripheral artery disease P. Chronic Kidney Disease Chronic kidney disease can occur if plaque builds up in the renal arteries. Overview The cause of atherosclerosis isn't known. Outlook Improved treatments have reduced the number of deaths from atherosclerosis-related diseases.
Other Names - Atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis Hardening of the arteries. Causes - Atherosclerosis. These factors include: Smoking High amounts of certain fats and cholesterol in the blood High blood pressure High amounts of sugar in the blood due to insulin resistance or diabetes Plaque may begin to build up where the arteries are damaged. They hope to find answers to questions such as: Why and how do the arteries become damaged? How does plaque develop and change over time?
Why does plaque rupture and lead to blood clots?
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