Atherosclerosis: Symptoms, Risks and Treatment
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Introduction
Atherosclerosis develops when plaque collects within artery walls. Plaque contains fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other blood substances 2. Over time, this buildup can narrow arteries and reduce blood flow 2.
Plaque can also make blood clots more likely 2. A clot may block oxygen from reaching the heart, brain, or other organs 2. This can cause a heart attack or stroke 2,9.
The disease can affect arteries throughout the body 6. It may lead to coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease 2,9. Yet early care can lower the risk of severe problems 8.
This guide covers atherosclerosis symptoms, risk factors, treatment and prevention. It also explains which warning signs need emergency care.
Overview: What Atherosclerosis Is and How It Develops
Atherosclerosis is one type of arteriosclerosis 6. Arteriosclerosis means that arteries become thick and stiff 6. With atherosclerosis, plaque also builds up within artery walls 2,6.
Arteries carry blood from the heart to the body 2. Most arteries deliver blood that is rich in oxygen 2. Plaque makes the open space inside an artery smaller 8.
This process is often slow and silent 4,8. It may begin during childhood and continue throughout life 4.
How plaque forms inside artery walls
Plaque growth often starts with damage to an artery 3. Smoking and high blood pressure can play a role in this damage 3. Unhealthy cholesterol, health problems, and genes can also play a role 3.
Inflammatory cells move to the damaged part of the artery 3. Inflammation is the body’s response to damage. These cells release signals that draw cholesterol and cell waste to the site 3.
The stored material forms plaque over time 3. Plaque may become thick and hard as it grows 8. It can contain fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other blood substances 2.
A plaque may also contain LDL cholesterol and firm tissue 9. LDL is often called “bad” cholesterol. Unhealthy cholesterol levels are a key risk for plaque growth 3.
Plaque growth can take place over many years 3,8. A person may feel well while this process occurs 5,8. Early heart-healthy habits can help delay plaque and its effects 4.
How narrowed arteries reduce blood flow
Growing plaque leaves less room for blood to pass 8. The tissues beyond the narrow area may receive less oxygen-rich blood 5,8.
The body needs more oxygen during activity or stress 5. Symptoms may first occur at those times 5. For example, heart-related chest pain may appear during physical effort 5,9.
Plaque does not always stay stable. Its surface may wear away or break open 6,8. This event is called plaque erosion or rupture.
A blood clot can then form over the damaged plaque 2,8. The clot may partly or fully block the artery 2. Blood and oxygen can no longer reach tissue beyond a full blockage 2.
A clot in a coronary artery can cause a heart attack 6,9. Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle 9. A full blockage can harm part of that muscle 9.
A clot that blocks blood flow to the brain can cause an ischemic stroke 2,9. An ischemic stroke occurs when part of the brain loses its blood supply 9.
Health problems caused by atherosclerosis
The location of plaque helps determine which body part is at risk. Atherosclerosis may cause several related conditions:
Coronary artery disease: Plaque narrows arteries that supply the heart muscle 9.
Angina: Reduced heart blood flow may cause this type of chest pain 9.
Peripheral artery disease: Narrow arteries reduce blood flow outside the heart 2,7.
Heart attack: A coronary artery becomes fully blocked 6,9.
Ischemic stroke: A clot blocks blood flow to part of the brain 2,9.
Poor blood flow elsewhere: Plaque may affect the kidneys, arms, legs, brain, or pelvis 2,6.
Symptoms and Atherosclerosis Warning Signs
Why early atherosclerosis may be silent
Early or mild atherosclerosis often causes no symptoms 5,6. Symptoms may not start until an artery becomes very narrow or blocked 6,8.
Some people first notice a problem during exercise or stress 5. The body needs more oxygen at these times 5. A narrow artery may not carry enough blood to meet that need 5,8.
Other people have no warning before a major event 5,8. A heart attack or stroke may be the first clear sign 5,8. Routine medical visits can help find risks before such problems occur 5.
Atherosclerosis warning signs depend on the arteries involved 5. New or unexplained symptoms should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
Symptoms based on the arteries affected
Plaque in the coronary arteries can reduce blood flow to the heart 9. Possible symptoms include:
Chest pain or pressure during activity or stress 5,9.
Shortness of breath when the body needs more oxygen 5.
Symptoms that become worse during physical effort 5.
Chest pain from low blood flow to the heart is called angina 9. Angina may be a sign of coronary artery disease 9. It should not be ignored.
Plaque may also affect the arteries in the legs 2,7. Reduced leg blood flow may cause pain during walking 5. The discomfort may occur because active muscles need more oxygen-rich blood 5.
Brain-related warning signs may appear without notice 5. These can include sudden weakness, numbness, or speech changes 5. Such signs may mean that blood flow to the brain is blocked 2,5.
Symptoms cannot show the amount of plaque in an artery. A healthcare professional may need to check the heart and blood flow 7. The evaluation may also include health history and risk factors 7.
Causes and Atherosclerosis Risk Factors
Plaque growth can begin after an artery is damaged 3. Habits, health conditions, and genes may all cause this damage 3. Having several risks raises the chance of atherosclerosis 10.
Risk factors you can change
Smoking, high blood pressure, and unhealthy cholesterol are major changeable risks 3. A changeable risk is one you may prevent or manage.
Other risks include diabetes and lack of physical activity 3,10. Excess weight and an unhealthy diet can also raise risk 3,10.
Important changeable risks include:
Smoking: Tobacco use can trigger artery damage and plaque growth 3.
High blood pressure: High pressure can harm artery walls 3.
Unhealthy cholesterol: Cholesterol can collect in damaged parts of an artery 3.
Diabetes: High blood sugar raises the risk of atherosclerosis 7.
Physical inactivity: Lack of activity is a controllable heart and artery risk 10.
Unhealthy food choices: Poor eating habits can add to preventable risk 3,10.
Excess weight: Weight-related health issues may add to atherosclerosis risk 3.
Smoking, high blood pressure, and unhealthy cholesterol often occur together 3. Treating more than one risk can form part of a complete care plan 1.
A treatment plan should fit a person’s needs 1. It may consider home life, local resources, and culture 1.
Risk factors you cannot change
Some risks cannot be changed. These include older age, genes, and family history 3,10.
A family history of heart disease may point to inherited risk 3,10. A healthcare professional may ask about family health during an exam 7.
Age and genes cannot be controlled. However, knowing about these risks can guide talks about prevention and care 1.
How multiple risk factors affect overall risk
The chance of atherosclerosis rises as risk factors add up 10. One person may have high blood pressure, smoke, and have unhealthy cholesterol. This set of risks calls for close attention.
Ask a healthcare professional to review your:
Level of physical activity.
Ten-year and lifetime heart risk.
A ten-year or lifetime risk check can help start a care discussion 1. It may guide choices about habits, medicine, and follow-up 1.
Treatment: How Atherosclerosis Is Diagnosed and Managed
Treatment depends on the person’s risks and the arteries involved 1,7. Care aims to manage risk factors and limit further plaque growth 1,10. It also aims to prevent dangerous loss of blood flow 1.
Medical evaluation and diagnostic tests
A healthcare professional will ask about symptoms and family health history 7. The professional will also perform a physical exam 7. This may include listening to the heart 7.
Blood tests can measure cholesterol and blood sugar 7. High levels can raise atherosclerosis risk 7. A blood test may also check C-reactive protein, or CRP 7.
CRP is linked to inflammation in the arteries 7. A healthcare professional decides whether this test is useful 7.
Other tests may check the heart, arteries, and blood flow 7. The choice depends on the person’s symptoms and exam 7.
Ankle-brachial index: This compares blood pressure in the ankle and arm 7.
Stress test: This checks the heart while a person exercises 7.
Artery imaging: Images may help find narrowed areas in arteries 7.
Other circulation tests: The selected test depends on the arteries involved 7.
A stress test often uses a treadmill or exercise bike 7. The heart is watched while it works harder than usual 7.
The ankle-brachial index can check for narrow arteries in the legs and feet 7. A healthcare professional compares ankle pressure with arm pressure 7.
Not every person needs every test. The healthcare professional chooses tests based on the full medical review 7.
Lifestyle changes and medicines
A heart-healthy lifestyle is a key part of treatment 1. It also helps prevent plaque buildup throughout life 1.
Important changes include healthy food and regular activity 1,10. Stopping tobacco use is also a main part of care 1,10.
Medicine may be needed when lifestyle changes are not enough 4. Treatment may include medicine for cholesterol or blood pressure 1. It may also address diabetes or the risk of blood clots 1.
Take all prescribed medicines as directed 4. Do not stop or change them without speaking with the prescriber.
A heart-healthy lifestyle and the right medicines can slow plaque growth 1. In some people, this plan may cause some plaque regression over time 1. Regression means that the amount of plaque becomes smaller.
The response to treatment can differ from person to person. Regular visits help the healthcare team review the care plan 1.
Procedures and surgery for severe disease
Lifestyle changes and medicine may not be enough for severe narrowing 1. A procedure or surgery may then help restore blood flow 1.
Possible options include:
Angioplasty: This procedure opens a narrow artery.
Stenting: A small support helps hold the artery open.
Endarterectomy: Surgery removes plaque from an artery.
Bypass surgery: Surgery creates another path around a blockage.
Procedures may help when plaque reaches dangerous levels 1. They may be used for arteries in the heart or other body areas 1. The care team chooses an option based on the person’s condition.
These treatments may restore flow when severe plaque causes dangerous narrowing 1. They may also be considered after a serious problem develops 1.
Atherosclerosis Prevention and Long-Term Care
Daily habits that protect arteries
A heart-healthy lifestyle can help prevent or delay atherosclerosis 1,4. These habits should begin early in life 4. Plaque growth can start during childhood and continue through adulthood 4.
A heart-healthy eating plan includes:
Other heart-healthy foods 1.
The plan should limit saturated fat and sodium 1. It should also limit highly processed foods 1. The DASH eating plan is one heart-healthy option 1.
Regular physical activity can form part of heart-healthy living 1,10. Avoiding tobacco is also important 1,10. Maintaining a healthy weight may help manage preventable risks 1,10.
Stress control and enough sleep can support a wider heart-healthy routine 1. Choose changes that are safe and realistic for your needs.
Managing medical risk factors
Healthy habits may not fully control every risk 4. A healthcare professional may then recommend medicine 4. Take each prescribed medicine as directed 4.
Long-term care may include checks of blood pressure and cholesterol 3,7. Blood sugar may also need to be checked 7. High cholesterol and high blood sugar increase atherosclerosis risk 7.
Do not wait for symptoms before asking about prevention. Early atherosclerosis is often silent 5. Regular healthcare visits may find risks sooner 5.
Follow-up questions for a healthcare professional
Consider asking these questions:
What is my ten-year heart risk?
What is my lifetime heart risk?
Is my blood pressure in a healthy range?
Are my cholesterol and blood sugar controlled?
Do I need tests for narrow arteries?
Which eating plan is best for me?
What type of activity is safe for me?
How often should I have follow-up visits?
Which symptoms should lead me to call 911?
A risk check can guide talks about treatment and prevention 1. A care plan should fit the person’s needs and daily life 1.
When to See a Doctor or Call 911
Arrange a medical visit for chest discomfort during activity 5,9. Also seek care for unexplained shortness of breath or leg pain while walking 5. These symptoms may be atherosclerosis warning signs 5,9.
Call 911 at once for possible heart attack or stroke symptoms 5. Do not drive yourself to the hospital. Emergency services can arrange fast transport and emergency care.
Possible emergency warning signs include:
Sudden chest pain or pressure 5,9.
Sudden trouble speaking 5.
Other sudden signs of a heart attack or stroke 5.
Every minute matters during a possible heart attack or stroke 5. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve. Call 911 immediately 5.
Conclusion
Understanding atherosclerosis symptoms, risk factors, treatment and prevention can support early action. Early disease may cause no symptoms 5,8. Yet plaque can slowly narrow arteries and reduce blood flow 2,8.
Regular checkups may help find risks before severe problems occur 5. Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and tobacco use can protect artery health 3,7.
A heart-healthy lifestyle can prevent or slow plaque growth 1,4. Prescribed medicine may also help control major risks 1,4. Together, these steps may lead to some plaque regression in certain people 1.
Procedures or surgery may restore blood flow when narrowing becomes dangerous 1. Possible heart attack or stroke symptoms require an immediate call to 911 5. Every minute matters 5.
Evidence used in this article
- 1. Atherosclerosis - Treatment | NHLBI, NIH
# Atherosclerosis Treatment
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If you have a diagnosis of atherosclerosis, work with your healthcare team to set up a treatment plan that works for you. Your plan will be based on your lifestyle, home and neighborhood environment, and culture. Your 10-year or lifetime risk assessment is a good way to start the conversation.
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Sometimes atherosclerosis can be reversed over time by following a heart-healthy lifestyle and taking medicines.
...
Procedures and surgery may help people who have dang
- 2. Atherosclerosis - What Is Atherosclerosis? | NHLBI, NIH
Atherosclerosis - What Is Atherosclerosis? | NHLBI, NIH
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# Atherosclerosis What Is Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is a common disease that develops when a sticky plaque plaque (Plak): A substance made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. In some cardiovascular diseases, plaque builds up and hardens in arteries. Plaque buildup reduces blood flow and
- 3. Atherosclerosis - Causes and Risk Factors | NHLBI, NIH
Atherosclerosis - Causes and Risk Factors | NHLBI, NIH
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# Atherosclerosis Causes and Risk Factors
Risk factors are conditions or habits that make a person more likely to develop a disease. Nearly half of Americans have high blood pressure or unhealthy cholesterol levels, or they smoke. These are key risk factors that can trigger the start of plaque buildup.
## What causes atheroscleros
- 4. Atherosclerosis - Prevention | NHLBI, NIH
Atherosclerosis - Prevention | NHLBI, NIH
Atherosclerosis
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Atherosclerosis
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- What Is Atherosclerosis?
- Symptoms
- Diagnosis
- Causes and Risk Factors
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Living With
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# Atherosclerosis Prevention
The best way to ensure heart health is to prevent risk factors from developing in the first place. Following the steps for heart-healthy living can help prevent or dela
- 5. Atherosclerosis - Symptoms | NHLBI, NIH
Atherosclerosis - Symptoms | NHLBI, NIH
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Atherosclerosis
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- What Is Atherosclerosis?
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- Diagnosis
- Causes and Risk Factors
- Prevention
- Treatment
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# Atherosclerosis Symptoms
If you think that you or someone else has symptoms of heart attack or stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately. Every minute matters. Read more about the symptoms of heart attack and
- 6. Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic
are sometimes used to
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the same thing.
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's a
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Arteriosclerosis happens when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body become thick and stiff. These blood vessels are called arteries. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. But over time, the walls in the arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries.
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Atheros
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a specific type of arteriosclerosis.
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Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fats, cholesterol a
- 7. Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
To diagnose atherosclerosis, your healthcare professional examines you and listens to your heart. You usually are asked questions about your symptoms and your family health history. You may be sent to a doctor trained in heart diseases, called a cardiologist.
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Tests may be done to check the health of your heart and arteries. Tests can help diagnose atherosclerosis and find the cause.
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- Blood tests. Blood tests can check blood sugar and cholesterol levels. High levels of blood sugar and ch
- 8. Atherosclerosis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Atherosclerosis is a hardening of your arteries from plaque building up gradually inside them. Plaque consists of fat, cholesterol and other substances. This plaque buildup limits blood flow. You may not have symptoms of atherosclerosis until you have complications like a heart attack or stroke.
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If you have warning signs of atherosclerosis, tell a healthcare provider. Early treatment can lower your risk of life-threatening complications.
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As plaque builds up, your artery wall grows thicke
- 9. Atherosclerosis - Harvard Health
Atherosclerosis is the process of cholesterol plaque buildup in arteries. It can lead to a narrowing of the arteries that can significantly reduce the blood supply to vital organs such as the heart, brain, and intestines. In atherosclerosis, the arteries are narrowed when fatty deposits called plaques build up inside. Plaques typically contain cholesterol from low-density lipoproteins (LDL), smooth-muscle cells, fibrous tissue, and sometimes calcium.
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Atherosclerosis is
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patients with any
- 10. Atherosclerosis | UCSF Department of Surgery
The cause of atherosclerosis isn't known. However, certain traits, conditions, or habits may raise your risk for the disease. These conditions are known as risk factors.
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You can control some risk factors, such as lack of physical activity, smoking, and an unhealthy diet. Others you can't control, such as age and a family history of heart disease.
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The main treatment for atherosclerosis is lifestyle changes. You also may need medicines and medical procedures. These treatments, along with o
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