Atherosclerosis is a disease that causes medium-size and larger blood vessels in the body to harden and narrow. Also known as
hardening of the arteries, the condition results from the slow buildup of
plaque on the inside walls of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is the most common type of
arteriosclerosis, a general term referring to various forms of hardening and thickening of blood vessels in the body.
Atherosclerosis can develop in any blood vessel, but the most common locations for narrowing and hardening of the arteries include the:
- Heart
- Brain
- Legs, pelvis, or arms
- Kidneys.
Athersclerosis and Plaque
As mentioned, atherosclerosis is caused by the slow buildup of plaque on the inside walls of the arteries.
Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body.
Plaque is made up of fat,
cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in your blood. As it grows, the buildup of plaque narrows the inside of the artery and, in time, may restrict blood flow. Plaque can be either:
- Hard and stable
- Soft and unstable.
Hard plaque causes the artery walls to thicken and harden. Soft plaque is more likely to break apart from the walls and enter the bloodstream. This can cause a blood clot that can partially or totally block the flow of blood in the artery. When this happens, the organ supplied by the blocked artery starves for blood and oxygen. The organ's cells may either die or suffer from severe damage.
Causes of Atherosclerosis
Heart disease research doctors and scientists do not know the exact cause or
causes of atherosclerosis. Scientists think that the buildup of
plaque starts when the lining of the artery is damaged or injured, but they are not sure why and how the artery becomes damaged in the first place.
Scientists are also unsure of when atherosclerosis begins. They do know that it is a slow and complex disease that may start in childhood. They also think that atherosclerosis develops faster as people grow older.
Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis
Risk factors are conditions or behaviors that increase your chances of getting a certain disease. For atherosclerosis, the risk factors happen to be the same as those for
heart disease.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include:
Symptoms of Atherosclerosis
The symptoms of atherosclerosis depend on which part of the body is not receiving enough blood and oxygen due to the narrowed artery or arteries.
Atherosclerosis symptoms take some time to develop, as the disease must progress to the point where an artery is severely narrowed or completely blocked.
Diagnosing Atherosclerosis
There is no single test to diagnose atherosclerosis. Therefore, in order to help make an
atherosclerosis diagnosis, your healthcare provider will ask a number of questions and perform a physical exam, looking for signs and symptoms of the condition.
Your healthcare provider will also recommend certain tests and/or procedures to identify atherosclerosis or its complications. Your doctor uses your physical exam results, your risk factors, family history, and your symptoms to decide which test or tests to order.
Treatment for Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis treatment will vary for each patient. Everyone diagnosed with atherosclerosis will need to undergo lifestyle changes. Depending on the severity of the condition, these may be the only changes that need to be made. For more serious conditions, treatment for atherosclerosis may include medications or certain procedures.
Effects of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease that may start in childhood. As mentioned, it can affect the arteries of the brain, heart, kidneys, and the arms and legs. As
plaque builds up, it can cause serious diseases and complications. These include:
Diseases caused by atherosclerosis are the leading cause of illness and death in the United States.
Living With Atherosclerosis
There's no getting around it: Atherosclerosis changes your life. For many people, living with a condition caused by atherosclerosis requires changes both big and small, from undergoing major surgery to adding more fruits and vegetables to their diets. Change can be difficult, and sometimes even scary. But with support, resources, and a good supply of determination, most people are able to meet these new challenges well.
Preventing Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is largely a preventable disease. Regardless of your age, background, or health status, you can lower your risk for atherosclerosis -- and it doesn't have to be complicated.
- Knowing your atherosclerosis risk factors
- Monitoring your health
- Knowing your family's medical history
- Making lifestyle changes
- Possibly taking medication.
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