What is atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which sticky plaque, made up of cholesterol, fat, blood cells, calcium and other substances, builds up in your arteries. This causes the arteries to narrow over time, restricting blood flow to parts of the body.
Atherosclerosis, the most common type of arteriosclerosis , an umbrella term for conditions that cause the hardening of arteries throughout the body, is the leading cause of death among men and women in the United States.
Plaque buildup can start in childhood and affect most of the body's arteries, leading to numerous health problems, including heart attacks, strokes, vascular dementia and limb loss.
The best way to treat atherosclerosis is to prevent it. Atherosclerosis progresses silently, often with no noticeable symptoms. Plaque slowly builds up over years to decades before it causes serious problems. Staying proactive and treating your risk factors can help prevent the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque.
It is important to note that when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis, this is general information, and you should follow the specific guidance and instructions given to you by your doctor.
Types of atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis can affect almost any medium or large artery in your body from head to toe. Partial or complete blockages can restrict blood flow, most commonly to your heart, brain, kidneys, arms, legs or pelvis.
Atherosclerosis has different names based on the location of the arteries affected. Types include:
- Carotid artery disease: Plaque buildup in your neck arteries reduces blood flow to your brain, which can lead to a stroke.
- Coronary artery disease: The arteries supplying your heart become narrowed or blocked.
- Mesenteric artery ischemia: One of the three main arteries supplying your intestines is narrowed or blocked.
- Peripheral artery disease: This is a type of peripheral vascular disease that causes narrowing of the arteries carrying blood to your legs, arms and pelvis.
- Renal artery stenosis: This type of atherosclerosis impacts the blood supply to your kidneys.
- Vertebral artery disease: This affects arteries that carry blood to the back of your brain.
Atherosclerosis symptoms
Most people do not have any symptoms in the early stages of atherosclerosis. Symptoms often appear only when an artery is severely narrowed, and the narrowing causes a significant complication, such as a heart attack or stroke. You might also notice symptoms when you are under physical or emotional stress, and your body needs more oxygen.
When symptoms develop, they can vary depending on which arteries are affected and the extent of narrowing or blockage.
Symptoms of atherosclerosis can include:
- Abdominal pain, especially after meals
- Chest pain
- Cold sweats
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Erectile dysfunction (in men)
- Heart palpitations, or racing heart
- Nausea
- Numbness or weakness on one side of the body
- Pain, aching or cramps in legs
- Shortness of breath
- Thinking or memory problems
- Tiredness
- Vision problems
- Weakness
- Weight loss
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have symptoms of atherosclerosis or are concerned about your risk for any heart and vascular condition.
It’s also a good idea to see your doctor every year for an annual checkup. These visits allow your doctor to check your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels and other vital signs that can tell them how healthy your heart is.
If you or someone else has symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, seek emergency medical care. These include chest or upper body pain, sudden shortness of breath, slurred speech, drooping facial muscles or weakness on one side of your body.
What causes atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is caused by the buildup of plaque, a mixture of fat, cholesterol and other substances in your blood. The buildup can begin when your arteries become damaged due to lifestyle factors, your genes or a medical condition.
Inflammatory cells in the damaged parts of your artery release chemical signals, causing cholesterol and cell waste to collect there. White blood cells then “eat” the cholesterol and clump together to form plaque.
As plaque builds up, it causes your artery to narrow and harden, restricting the flow of blood, which carries oxygen and nutrients to your limbs and vital organs. The plaque can also break off and cause a blood clot to form. A blood clot can block your artery or travel to another part of your body.
Atherosclerosis risk factors
Many factors can lead to plaque buildup, including your genes, lifestyle and history of certain health conditions. The more risk factors you have, the greater your chance of developing atherosclerosis. However, many of the risk factors for atherosclerosis can be prevented.
Risk factors for atherosclerosis include:
- Age: Atherosclerosis progresses with age.
- Alcohol: Heavy drinking can increase your risk for atherosclerosis.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage your arteries, making them prone to plaque buildup.
- Diet: A diet high in saturated fat, excess sugars and processed or ultra processed foods can lead to accelerated atherosclerosis.
- Family history: Development and progression of atherosclerosis may be related to genetics. An inherited cholesterol disorder known as familial hypercholesterolemia also increases your risk.
- High blood pressure: High blood pressure can damage your arteries and is a leading preventable risk factor for atherosclerosis in the United States.
- Inflammatory diseases: Diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, endometriosis and psoriasis cause high levels of inflammation, which can damage arteries.
- Excess weight: Being overweight or obese increases your risk of heart disease, as well as diabetes and other health conditions.
- Menopause: Women are at an increased risk after menopause due to lower levels of the hormone estrogen, which has a protective effect.
- Pregnancy complications: Gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension and pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) are both linked to atherosclerosis.
- Race or ethnicity: People who are Black and South Asian are at a higher risk than White individuals.
- Sedentary lifestyle: A lack of physical activity may lead to cardiometabolic complications, including high cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes and being obese or overweight
- Smoking: Smoking and second-hand smoke damage your blood vessels.
- Unhealthy cholesterol levels: High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C, or “bad”) cholesterol can promote plaque formation.
Complications
Atherosclerosis can lead to artery blockages that prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching an organ or limb, causing severe, potentially life-threatening complications. These complications can appear suddenly and without warning.
Complications include:
- Blood clots: A blood clot can form if plaque bursts, blocking an artery.
- Heart attack: A full or partial blockage of a coronary artery can cause a heart attack, where your heart tissue does not get enough oxygen.
- Limb loss: Problems with blood flow to your extremities can lead to the need to amputate part of an arm or leg.
- Ischemic stroke: An ischemic stroke is a medical emergency, usually caused by a blood clot blocking a blood vessel in your brain.
- Vascular dementia: Reduced blood flow to your brain can result in loss of mental function.
How is atherosclerosis diagnosed?
Diagnosing atherosclerosis early is important for preventing serious complications like heart attack or stroke. Your doctor will use a combination of tools to assess your risk, including a physical exam, blood work and heart imaging. If you don’t have symptoms, they may use a risk calculator to estimate your chances of developing heart disease.
Atherosclerosis treatment
If you have risk factors for or evidence of atherosclerosis, your doctor will work with you to develop an individualized treatment plan. You can slow or in some instances, even reverse plaque buildup by taking medication and following a heart-healthy lifestyle. If your arteries have large amounts of plaque, your doctor might recommend surgery.
Find specialized care for atherosclerosis
At Baylor Scott & White, we have multiple locations across North and Central Texas to provide you with access to expert cardiology care. Our specialized cardiovascular centers are designed to meet the unique needs of people who have been diagnosed with atherosclerosis. Whether you're seeking diagnostic testing, treatment options or need ongoing support, our teams are here to help you.
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