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Atherosclerosis

Overview
Atherosclerosis is a narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of
plaque. It is also called arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
Arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from
the heart to the rest of your body. As you get older, fat and
cholesterol can collect in the arteries and form plaque. The buildup
of plaque makes it difficult for blood to flow through the arteries.
This buildup may occur in any artery in the body and can result in a
shortage of blood and oxygen in various tissues of the body. Pieces
of plaque can also break off, causing a blood clot. If left untreated,
atherosclerosis can lead to heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Atherosclerosis is a fairly common problem associated with aging.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), 80
to 90 percent of individuals over the age of 30 have some degree of
atherosclerosis (UMMC, 2010). This condition can be prevented, and
many successful treatment options exist.

What Are The Types of

Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis occurs when fat, cholesterol, and calcium harden in
the arteries. Atherosclerosis can occur anywhere in the body,
including the heart, legs, and kidneys.

Other types of atherosclerosis are:

Coronary Artery Disease

This condition occurs when the coronary arteries of the heart

become hard. The coronary arteries are blood vessels that provide
the hearts muscle tissue with oxygen and blood. Plaque prevents
blood flow to the heart.
Carotid Artery Disease

The carotid arteries are found in your neck and supply blood to your
brain. These arteries may be compromised if plaque builds up in
their walls. The lack of circulation may cause a decrease of blood
and oxygen to the brains tissue and cells.
Peripheral Artery Disease

Your legs, arms, and lower body depend on your arteries to supply
blood and oxygen to their tissues. Hardened arteries can cause
circulation problems in these areas of the body.
Kidney Disease

The renal arteries supply blood to the kidneys. Kidneys filter waste
products and extra water from your blood. When they cannot filter
properly, waste products build up inside the renal arteries, making
them hard. The hardened vessels may lead to kidney failure.

What Causes
Atherosclerosis?
Plaque build-up and subsequent hardening of the arteries restricts
blood flow in the arteries, preventing your organs and tissues from
getting the oxygenated blood they need to function.
The following are common causes for hardening of the arteries.
High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, yellow substance that is found naturally in

your body and also in certain foods you eat. This substance can
increase in your blood and clog your arteries. It becomes a hard
plaque that restricts or blocks blood circulation to your heart and
other organs.
Fat

Eating foods high in fat may also lead to plaque buildup.

Aging

As you age, your heart and blood vessels work harder to pump and
receive blood. Your arteries may weaken and become less elastic,
making them more susceptible to plaque buildup.

Who Is at Risk for

Atherosclerosis?
Many factors place you at risk for atherosclerosis. Some risks can be
prevented, while others cannot.
Family History

If atherosclerosis runs in your family, you may be at risk for

hardening of the arteries. This condition as well as other heartrelated problems may be inherited.
Lack of Exercise

Regular exercise is good for the heart it keeps the heart muscle
strong and encourages oxygen and blood flow throughout the body.
Living a sedentary lifestyle increases your risk for a host of medical
conditions, including heart disease.
Diet

Eating foods high in fats and cholesterol raises your risk for
atherosclerosis.
High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can damage your blood vessels by making

them weak in some areas. Cholesterol and other substances in your
blood may reduce arterial flexibility over time.

Smoking

Smoking tobacco products can damage your blood vessels and

heart.
Diabetes

People with DIABETES have a much higher incidence of coronary

artery disease.

What Are the Symptoms of

Atherosclerosis?
Most symptoms of atherosclerosis do not show until a blockage
occurs. Common symptoms include:

chest pain (angina)

pain in the leg, arm, and anywhere else that an artery is
blocked
shortness of breath
fatigue
confusion (if the blockage affects circulation to the brain)
muscle weakness in the legs from lack of circulation
It is also important to know the symptoms of heart attack and
stroke. Both of these problems can be caused by atherosclerosis and
require immediate medical attention. Symptoms of a heart attack
include:

chest pain or discomfort

pain in the shoulders, back, neck, arms, and jaw
abdominal pain

shortness of breath
perspiration
feeling of lightheadedness
nausea or vomiting
sense of impending doom
Symptoms of stroke include:

weakness or numbness in the face or limbs

trouble speaking
trouble understanding speech
vision problems
loss of balance
sudden, severe headache
If you experience symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, call
911 and get to a hospital's emergency room as soon as
possible.

How Is Atherosclerosis
Diagnosed?
If you are experiencing symptoms of atherosclerosis, your doctor will
perform a physical exam. He or she will check for a weakened pulse,
aneurysm (an abnormal bulging or widening of an artery due to
weakness), and slow wound healing, which indicates restricted blood
flow. A heart specialist called a cardiologist may listen to your heart
to see if you have any abnormal sounds. He or she will be listening
for a whooshing noise, which indicates that an artery is blocked.
Your doctor will order more tests if he or she suspects
atherosclerosis. These tests may include:

a blood test to check your cholesterol levels

a Doppler ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create a
picture of the artery that shows if there is a blockage
ankle-brachial test, which compares the blood pressure in your
arms and legs to look for a blockage in your arms or legs
magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA) or computed
tomography (CT) angiography to create pictures of the large arteries
in your body
cardiac angiogram, which requires an injection of radioactive
dye that can be seen on X-rays to create a picture of the arteries in
your heart
an electrocardiogram (ECG), which measures the electrical
activity in your heart to look for any areas of decreased blood flow
a stress test (exercise tolerance test), which monitors your
heart rate and blood pressure while you exercise on a treadmill or
stationary bicycle

How Is Atherosclerosis
Treated?
Treatment involves changing your current lifestyle to one that limits
the amount of fat and cholesterol you consume. You may need to
exercise more to improve your cardiovascular (heart and blood
vessels) health.
You may also need additional medical treatments, such as:
Medications

Medications can help prevent atherosclerosis from worsening.

Medications include:

cholesterol-lowering medications, including statins and fibric

acid derivatives
antiplatelet drugs and anticoagulants, such as aspirin, to
prevent blood from clotting and clogging the arteries
beta blockers or calcium channel blockers to lower blood
pressure
diuretics (water pills) to help lower blood pressure
angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which help
prevent narrowing of the arteries
Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be necessary if symptoms are

especially severe, or if muscle or skin tissue are endangered.
Possible surgeries for treating atherosclerosis include:

bypass surgery: a vessel from elsewhere in the body, or a

synthetic tube, is used for diverting blood around a blocked or
narrowed artery
thrombolytic therapy: dissolves a blood clot by injecting a
drug into the affected artery
angioplasty: a thin, flexible tube called a catheter and balloon
are used to expand an artery
endarterectomy: surgically removing fatty deposits from an
artery
atherectomy: a nonsurgical procedure that removes plaque
from the arteries using a catheter with a sharp blade at one end

What to Expect In The

Long Term
With treatment, you may see improvement in your health, but this
may take time. Your success will depend on the severity of your

condition, how promptly it was treated, and whether other organs

were affected. Hardening of the arteries cannot be reversed, but
treating the underlying cause and making healthy lifestyle and
dietary changes can help slow down the process, or prevent it from
getting worse.
You should work closely with your doctor to make the appropriate
lifestyle changes. You will also need to take the proper medications
to control your condition and avoid complications. Complications of
atherosclerosis include:

heart failure
heart disease
heart attack
abnormal heart rhythm
stroke
peripheral artery disease (reduced blood flow to arms and legs)
kidney failure
death

Nonmedical Treatment and

Prevention
Lifestyle changes can help to prevent as well as treat
atherosclerosis. Unless your atherosclerosis is severe, your doctor
may recommend lifestyle changes as the first line of treatment.
Lifestyle changes include:

eating a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat, and

cholesterol

avoiding fatty foods

adding fish to your diet twice per week

exercising for 30 to 60 minutes per day, six days per week

quitting smoking
losing weight if you are overweight or obese
managing stress
treating conditions associated with atherosclerosis, such as
hypertension, high cholesterol, and DIABETES