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? Risk Factors - Atherosclerosis. Major Risk Factors Unhealthy blood cholesterol levels. This includes high LDL cholesterol sometimes called "bad" cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol sometimes called "good" cholesterol.
High blood pressure. The mmHg is millimeters of mercury—the units used to measure blood pressure. Smoking can damage and tighten blood vessels, raise cholesterol levels, and raise blood pressure. Smoking also doesn't allow enough oxygen to reach the body's tissues. Insulin resistance. This condition occurs if the body can't use its insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps move blood sugar into cells where it's used as an energy source.
Insulin resistance may lead to diabetes. With this disease, the body's blood sugar level is too high because the body doesn't make enough insulin or doesn't use its insulin properly. Overweight or obesity. The terms "overweight" and "obesity" refer to body weight that's greater than what is considered healthy for a certain height.
Lack of physical activity. A lack of physical activity can worsen other risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as unhealthy blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, and overweight and obesity.
Unhealthy diet. An unhealthy diet can raise your risk for atherosclerosis. Foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium salt , and sugar can worsen other atherosclerosis risk factors.
Older age. As you get older, your risk for atherosclerosis increases. Genetic or lifestyle factors cause plaque to build up in your arteries as you age. By the time you're middle-aged or older, enough plaque has built up to cause signs or symptoms. In men, the risk increases after age In women, the risk increases after age Family history of early heart disease. Your risk for atherosclerosis increases if your father or a brother was diagnosed with heart disease before 55 years of age, or if your mother or a sister was diagnosed with heart disease before 65 years of age.
Emerging Risk Factors Scientists continue to study other possible risk factors for atherosclerosis. Studies are under way to find out whether genetics may play a role in atherosclerosis risk. Other Factors That Affect Atherosclerosis Other factors also may raise your risk for atherosclerosis, such as: Sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep. Untreated sleep apnea can raise your risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and even a heart attack or stroke. Research shows that the most commonly reported "trigger" for a heart attack is an emotionally upsetting event, especially one involving anger.
Heavy drinking can damage the heart muscle and worsen other risk factors for atherosclerosis. Men should have no more than two drinks containing alcohol a day. Women should have no more than one drink containing alcohol a day. Screening and Prevention - Atherosclerosis. One step you can take is to adopt a healthy lifestyle, which can include: Heart-Healthy Eating. Signs, Symptoms, and Complications - Atherosclerosis. Coronary Arteries The coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart.
Carotid Arteries The carotid arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain. These symptoms may include: Sudden weakness Paralysis an inability to move or numbness of the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body Confusion Trouble speaking or understanding speech Trouble seeing in one or both eyes Problems breathing Dizziness, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, and unexplained falls Loss of consciousness Sudden and severe headache Peripheral Arteries Plaque also can build up in the major arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the legs, arms, and pelvis a disease called peripheral artery disease.
Renal Arteries The renal arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your kidneys. Diagnosis - Atherosclerosis. Specialists Involved If you have atherosclerosis, a primary care doctor, such as an internist or family practitioner, may handle your care.
Your doctor may recommend other health care specialists if you need expert care, such as: A cardiologist. This is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart diseases and conditions. You may go to a cardiologist if you have peripheral artery disease P. A vascular specialist. This is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating blood vessel problems.
You may go to a vascular specialist if you have P. A neurologist. This is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating nervous system disorders. You may see a neurologist if you've had a stroke due to carotid artery disease. A nephrologist. This is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating kidney diseases and conditions. You may go to a nephrologist if you have chronic kidney disease.
Physical Exam During the physical exam, your doctor may listen to your arteries for an abnormal whooshing sound called a bruit broo-E. Diagnostic Tests Your doctor may recommend one or more tests to diagnose atherosclerosis. Blood Tests Blood tests check the levels of certain fats, cholesterol, sugar, and proteins in your blood. Chest X Ray A chest x ray takes pictures of the organs and structures inside your chest, such as your heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
Echocardiography Echocardiography echo uses sound waves to create a moving picture of your heart. Computed Tomography Scan A computed tomography CT scan creates computer-generated pictures of the heart, brain, or other areas of the body. Stress Testing During stress testing , you exercise to make your heart work hard and beat fast while heart tests are done.
A stress test can show possible signs and symptoms of CHD, such as: Abnormal changes in your heart rate or blood pressure Shortness of breath or chest pain Abnormal changes in your heart rhythm or your heart's electrical activity As part of some stress tests, pictures are taken of your heart while you exercise and while you rest. Angiography Angiography an-jee-OG-ra-fee is a test that uses dye and special x rays to show the inside of your arteries.
Other Tests Other tests are being studied to see whether they can give a better view of plaque buildup in the arteries. Treatment - Atherosclerosis. The goals of treatment include: Lowering the risk of blood clots forming Preventing atherosclerosis-related diseases Reducing risk factors in an effort to slow or stop the buildup of plaque Relieving symptoms Widening or bypassing plaque-clogged arteries Heart-Healthy Lifestyle Changes Your doctor may recommend heart-healthy lifestyle changes if you have atherosclerosis.
Doctors usually prescribe statins for people who have: Coronary heart disease, peripheral artery disease, or had a prior stroke Diabetes High LDL cholesterol levels 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: Lower your blood pressure Lower your blood sugar levels Prevent blood clots, which can lead to heart attack and stroke Prevent inflammation Take all medicines regularly, as your doctor prescribes. Medical Procedures and Surgery If you have severe atherosclerosis, your doctor may recommend a medical procedure or surgery.
Living With - Atherosclerosis. Ongoing Care If you have atherosclerosis, work closely with your doctor and other health care providers to avoid serious problems, such as heart attack and stroke. Emotional Issues and Support Having an atherosclerosis-related disease may cause fear, anxiety, depression, and stress.
Do you or your child have obesity and high blood cholesterol or triglycerides? This study is testing the use of a statin in young people to see whether early treatment of high blood cholesterol can affect the risk of developing plaque in blood vessels. Participants in this study must be age , have a body mass index BMI in the obese range, be fluent in English, and not be pregnant.
More Information. Related Health Topics Angina. Carotid Artery Disease. The plaque. A plaque forms in the inner layer of the artery. Plaque is a buildup of cholesterol, white blood cells, calcium, and other substances in the walls of arteries. Over time, plaque narrows the artery, and the artery hardens. Plaque sometimes reduces blood flow to the heart muscle, which can cause angina symptoms.
Plaque in the large artery in the neck carotid artery stenosis may block blood flow to the brain and is a common cause of transient ischemic attack sometimes called "mini-stroke" and stroke. Stable and unstable plaque. Plaques are defined based on the risk that they will tear or rupture. Stable plaque is less likely to rupture. These plaques have a thick fibrous cap and are made up of substances that are stable and not likely to rupture.
Unstable plaque is more likely to rupture. These plaques have a thin fibrous cap and are made up of substances like fats that can expand. Inflammation within the plaque can make the fibrous cap unstable and more likely to tear apart. Blocked artery. A blockage in the artery can happen if the plaque tears or ruptures. This rupture exposes the cholesterol and tissue that was under the fibrous cap.
Blood clots form in response to this rupture. The blood clot blocks the blood flow in the artery. This can cause a heart attack or stroke.
This theory suggests that atherosclerosis develops as a result of repetitive injury to the inner lining of the artery. Injury may stimulate cells to grow and divide as part of the inflammatory process. This normal, healing response to chronic injury may actually result in the growth of atherosclerotic plaque. Smoking plays a large role in the development of atherosclerosis.
The carbon monoxide and nicotine contained in tobacco smoke affect blood flow through your arteries by:. Atherosclerosis is one of the major causes of abdominal aortic aneurysm.
The wall of the aorta and all blood vessels is a dynamic tissue made up of living cells that need nutrients and oxygen. Many of these nutrients seep from the inside of the blood vessel through the walls to nourish the rest of the blood vessel. When the inner lining of the vessel is covered with an atherosclerotic plaque, nutrients can no longer seep through sufficiently. The cells receive no oxygen, and some of them die. As the atherosclerosis progresses and cells continue to die, the walls become weaker and weaker.
At some point, a critical relationship is reached between the pressure experienced in the center of the blood vessel, the wall tension, and the strength of the wall itself. When this point is reached, the wall begins to dilate grow larger in the area of the plaque. As the diameter of the vessel grows, the wall tension increases, leading to even more dilation.
Plaque fatty deposits build up in your arteries is called atherosclerosis. These deposits are made up of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin a clotting material in the blood. As plaque builds up, the wall of the blood vessel thickens. This narrows the channel within the artery — reducing blood flow. That lessens the amount of oxygen and other nutrients reaching the body.
Watch an animation about atherosclerosis. Where plaque develops, and the type of artery affected, varies with each person. Plaque may partially or totally block blood flow through large- or medium-sized arteries in the heart, brain, pelvis, legs, arms or kidneys.
This can lead to conditions such as:. Plaque itself can pose a risk. A piece of plaque can break off and be carried by the bloodstream until it gets stuck.
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