Overview
Plaque buildup reduces blood flow.
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the arteries become narrowed and hardened due to the buildup of plaque — a sticky substance made of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other materials. This can restrict blood flow to vital organs and lead to serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease.
Symptoms
Chest pain, fatigue.
Symptoms often depend on which arteries are affected and may include:
- Chest pain (angina) — if the coronary arteries are narrowed
- Shortness of breath — with exertion or at rest
- Fatigue — even with minimal activity
- Leg pain while walking (claudication) — due to reduced blood flow to the limbs
- Numbness or weakness — in the arms or legs
- High blood pressure — if the kidneys are affected
Causes
High cholesterol, smoking.
Atherosclerosis develops gradually and is influenced by several risk factors, including:
- High cholesterol — especially high LDL (bad) cholesterol
- Smoking — damages the artery walls and accelerates plaque buildup
- High blood pressure — puts extra stress on artery walls
- Diabetes — high blood sugar can damage blood vessels
- Obesity — especially excess weight around the waist
- Unhealthy diet — high in saturated fats, trans fats, and salt
- Lack of exercise — contributes to poor cardiovascular health
- Family history — genetic predisposition
Treatment
Lifestyle changes, medication.
Treatment for atherosclerosis aims to slow or stop plaque buildup, reduce symptoms, and prevent complications:
- Lifestyle changes — heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, and weight management.
- Medications — statins to lower cholesterol, blood pressure medications, blood thinners to prevent clots, and medications to manage diabetes.
- Angioplasty and stenting — a procedure to widen narrowed arteries and place a stent to keep them open.
- Bypass surgery — to reroute blood flow around blocked arteries.
- Regular monitoring — with your healthcare provider to track progress and adjust treatment.