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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
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- American Heart Association American Heart Association
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Patient Handouts
- Angioplasty and stent placement – peripheral arteries Medical Encyclopedia
- Arteriogram Medical Encyclopedia
- Doppler ultrasound exam of an arm or leg Medical Encyclopedia
- Extremity angiography Medical Encyclopedia
- Hardening of the arteries Medical Encyclopedia
- Magnetic resonance angiography Medical Encyclopedia
Treatments and Therapies
- Angioplasty: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
- Carotid Endarterectomy Cleveland Clinic Foundation
- Chelation for Coronary Heart Disease National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Encyclopedia
- Arterial insufficiency Medical Encyclopedia
- Atheroembolic renal disease Medical Encyclopedia
- Atherosclerosis Medical Encyclopedia
- Lipoprotein-a Medical Encyclopedia
Related Issues
- Atherosclerosis and Stroke American Stroke Association
Specifics
- Cerebral Arteriosclerosis National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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- ClinicalTrials.gov: Arteriosclerosis National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Atherosclerosis National Institutes of Health
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- Heart Health Tests: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
- Lipoprotein (a) Blood Test National Library of Medicine
Living With
- Heart-Healthy Diet: Eight Steps to Prevent Heart Disease Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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- Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
- Tangier disease: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
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- What Is Atherosclerosis? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute