Atherosclerosis Summary Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Plaque is a sticky substance made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. That limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your body. Atherosclerosis can lead to serious problems, including Coronary artery disease. These arteries supply blood to your heart. When they are blocked, you can suffer angina or a heart attack. Carotid artery disease. These arteries supply blood to your brain. When they are blocked you can suffer a stroke. Peripheral arterial disease. These arteries are in your arms, legs and pelvis. When they are blocked, you can suffer from numbness, pain and sometimes infections. Atherosclerosis usually doesn’t cause symptoms until it severely narrows or totally blocks an artery. Many people don’t know they have it until they have a medical emergency. A physical exam, imaging, and other diagnostic tests can tell if you have it. Medicines can slow the progress of plaque buildup. Your doctor may also recommend procedures such as angioplasty to open the arteries, or surgery on the coronary or carotid arteries. Lifestyle changes can also help. These include following a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and managing stress. NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Find an Expert American Heart Association American Heart Association National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Array Angioplasty and stent placement – peripheral arteries Arteriogram Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Doppler ultrasound exam of an arm or leg Extremity angiography Hardening of the arteries How Is Atherosclerosis Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Magnetic resonance angiography Encyclopedia Arterial insufficiency Atheroembolic renal disease Lipoprotein-a Start Here Atherosclerosis American Academy of Family Physicians Atherosclerosis American Heart Association Related Issues Atherosclerosis and Stroke American Stroke Association Dental Health and Heart Health American Heart Association HIV and Atherosclerosis American Heart Association What Causes Atherosclerosis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Diagnosis and Tests Cardiac CT National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Catheter Angiography Array Coronary Calcium Scan National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute How Is Atherosclerosis Diagnosed? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute MR Angiography (MRA) Array Treatments and Therapies Carotid Endarterectomy National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Chelation Therapy for Heart Disease Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research MedlinePlus: Angioplasty National Library of Medicine Specifics Cerebral Arteriosclerosis National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Children Children and Heart Disease (Atherosclerosis) (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Arteriosclerosis National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Atherosclerosis National Institutes of Health NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Coronary Artery Disease Coronary Artery Disease: Diagnosis & Treatment Signs and Symptoms of Artery Disease Understanding Arteries Genetics Genetics Home Reference: cholesteryl ester storage disease National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: sitosterolemia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Tangier disease National Library of Medicine Living With Heart-Healthy Diet: Eight Steps to Prevent Heart Disease Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Living with Atherosclerosis National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Prevention and Risk Factors How Can Atherosclerosis Be Prevented or Delayed? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Who Is at Risk for Atherosclerosis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Statistics and Research NIH Researchers Find Resveratrol Helps Protect against Cardiovascular Disease in Animal Study National Institute on Aging Journal Articles Atherosclerosis Symptoms What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Atherosclerosis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
