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What is Arteriosclerosis? 
Drooping facial muscles
Pain when walking
 High blood pressure
Arteriosclerosis (also known as cardiovascular arteriosclerosis) occurs when arteries grow
 Kidney failure
thick and stiff and restrict blood flow to organs and tissues in the body. This gradual process,
also known as hardening of the arteries, weakens arteries and can develop in various organs,
If you experience any of these symptoms, see your physician right away.
most commonly the heart. Arteries circulate blood throughout the body, but when plaque –
fat, cholesterol and other cellular waste – build up on artery walls, arteriosclerosis can
develop. 
Diagnosis
Arteriosclerosis can develop into atherosclerosis. This condition can cause heart disease, Early diagnosis is critical for managing arteriosclerosis. To diagnose the condition, we ask
strokes, circulation problems in the arms and legs, aneurysms that can cause life-threatening questions about your medical history and do a physical exam. During the physical exam, your
internal bleeding and chronic kidney disease. physician can use a stethoscope to listen to your arteries for an abnormal whooshing sound
called a bruit (broo-E). A bruit may indicate poor blood flow due to plaque buildup.

Signs and Symptoms Baptist Health uses advanced diagnostic procedures and technology to effectively diagnose,
inform treatment and carefully monitor the condition. Common diagnostic procedures for
Even as artery walls gradually thicken and stiffen, there usually are no arteriosclerosis
arteriosclerosis include:
symptoms. Even as the condition worsens into atherosclerosis, mild cases may still show no
Ankle brachial index test: During this test, blood pressure cuffs are placed on the arms and
symptoms. That’s why regular checkups are important. As arteriosclerosis progresses,
ankles. A handheld ultrasound device or Doppler is used to listen to the blood flow and
clogged arteries can trigger a heart attack or stroke, with the following symptoms:
measure the blood pressure. This helps doctors understand if there is decreased blood flow
 Chest pain or pressure (angina) to the lower legs and feet.
 Sudden arm or leg weakness or numbness
Blood test: Blood tests check the levels of certain fats, cholesterol, sugar and protein in the
 Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
blood that could indicate heart conditions.
 Brief loss of vision in one eye
CT scan: X-rays and computers are used to create images of the aorta, heart and blood  Inflammation from other diseases
vessels. This provides a more detailed picture than an ultrasound. 
Risk Factors
Electrocardiogram (EKG): This test measures the electrical activity of the heart and can help
Risk factors that could contribute to arteriosclerosis include:
determine if parts of the heart are enlarged, overworked or damaged. The heart’s electrical
currents are detected by 12 to 15 electrodes that are attached to the arms, legs and chest via  Family history: People with a family history of heart disease or arteriosclerosis are at
sticky tape. higher risk for the condition.

Stress testing: This test is conducted during exercise. If a person can't exercise, medicine is  Age

given to increase heart rate. Used along with an EKG, the test can show changes to the  Cardiovascular diseases

heart’s rate, rhythm or electrical activity as well as blood pressure. Exercise makes the heart  History of smoking

work hard and beat fast while heart tests are administered.
Prevention
Ultrasound: An ultrasound device can measure blood pressure on various points of the arm
While some risk factors like age and heredity cannot be controlled, there are ways you can
or leg, which will help the physician determine if you have any blockages and how quickly
help to prevent arteriosclerosis:
blood flows through the arteries.

 Practice good heart health: Watch what you eat, exercise and avoid smoking.

Causes  Take your medications as prescribed: If you have high blood pressure, high
cholesterol or diabetes, be certain to take your prescribed medications as directed.
A number of factors can contribute to arteriosclerosis:

 High cholesterol Prognosis

 High blood pressure
Prognosis is good when arteriosclerosis is treated early with healthy life-style changes,
 High triglycerides
medicines or medical procedures.
 Insulin resistance or diabetes
 Obesity
 Smoking or use of other tobacco products
Treatment and Recovery Complications
Treatment for arteriosclerosis includes a healthy diet, exercise and medication to control or If arteriosclerosis is not diagnosed and treated, it could develop into atherosclerosis and
possibly reverse your condition. If enlarged blood vessels have been diagnosed, our goal is to cause serious health problems. Complications of arteriosclerosis include: 
develop an individualized treatment plan so blood clots do not form. 
 Coronary artery disease: Narrowed arteries near the heart may lead to chest pain,
heart attack or heart failure.
Medication  Peripheral artery disease: Narrowed arteries in the arms or legs may cause circulation
problems that make it difficult to feel heat and cold, and cause gangrene that can lead
Medications to treat arteriosclerosis are prescribed based on the location of your enlarged
to limb amputation.
blood vessels and other underlying conditions you may have and may include: 
 Carotid artery disease: Narrowed arteries near the brain may cause transient
 Cholesterol medications can protect your heart arteries.  ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke.
 Aspirin can prevent platelets from forming blood clots.   Aneurysms: A bulge in the wall of an artery, if it bursts, can cause a slow leak or life-
 Beta blocker medications can reduce your blood pressure and heart rate and diminish threatening internal bleeding.
chest pains, the risk of heart attack and irregular heart rhythm.   Chronic kidney disease: Narrow arteries near the kidneys can prevent effective kidney
 Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can lower blood pressure and lower function. 
the possibility of heart attack.
 Calcium channel blockers and diuretics (water pills) can reduce blood pressure. 
 A clot-busting drug may dissolve blood clots. Your physician may also prescribe other
medications, based on your needs. 

It is imperative that you monitor your blood pressure and take medications daily as
prescribed to lower the possibility of complications. 

What is Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis (atherosclerotic heart disease) is a heart condition that develops as
plaque – fat, cholesterol and other cellular waste – builds up inside your blood
Signs and Symptoms
Atherosclerosis symptoms can occur in various organs of your body, but mild cases
may go undetected. As the condition worsens, affected arteries may cause you to
experience different types of moderate to severe atherosclerosis symptoms including:
Arteries in the heart: 

vessels, causing them to grow thick and stiff. This gradual process often restricts the
 Chest pain or pressure (angina)
flow of oxygenated blood and nutrients to organs and tissues. 

Atherosclerosis symptoms may go undetected in mild cases. But as plaque continues Arteries leading to the brain: 

to weaken arteries, blood clots can form. Blood clots can block arteries in the chest,
 Sudden arm or leg weakness or numbness
brain, arms, legs and kidneys. 
 Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
There is reason to be concerned if you develop atherosclerosis because it can cause  Brief loss of vision in one eye
heart disease, strokes, circulation problems in arms and legs including in gangrene in  Drooping facial muscles
rare cases, aneurysms (enlargements of weakened artery walls) that can cause life-
Arteries in the arms and legs:
threatening internal bleeding and chronic kidney disease.

Baptist Health is known for advanced, superior care for patients with heart disease  Pain when walking

and the diagnosis, management and treatment of atherosclerosis. You will appreciate
Arteries leading to kidneys: 
timely appointments and a professional, friendly atmosphere where we take time to
listen to your concerns. At Baptist Health, you have access to the region’s most These atherosclerosis signs and symptoms may indicate you had a transient ischemic

comprehensive, multidisciplinary team of specialists and innovative therapies, attack (TIA). If left untreated, you may experience a stroke.

including many available only through specialized clinical trials. In every way, we work
 High blood pressure
to demonstrate the utmost in excellent care to those who trust us with their health
 Kidney failure
Diagnosis test can show changes to the heart’s rate, rhythm or electrical activity as well
as blood pressure. Exercise makes the heart work hard and beat fast while

Early diagnosis is critical for managing atherosclerosis. To diagnose atherosclerosis, heart tests are administered.

we ask questions about your medical history and do a physical exam. During the  Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA): A large magnet, radio waves and a

physical exam, your physician can use a stethoscope to listen to your arteries for an computer can produce pictures of specific blood vessels (veins and arteries).

abnormal whooshing sound called a bruit (broo-E). A bruit may indicate poor blood  Ultrasound: An ultrasound device can measure blood pressure on various

flow due to plaque buildup. points of your arm or leg, which will help the physician determine if you have
any blockages and how quickly blood flows through your arteries.
We then use advanced diagnostic procedures and technology to effectively diagnose,
inform treatment and carefully monitor the condition. Common diagnostic and
atherosclerosis testing procedures can include: Causes
A number of factors contribute to atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis causes include:
 Angiogram: A thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel and dye is
injected to make the blood vessel visible during an X-ray. This can show any
 High cholesterol
blood clots or other blood vessel issues. 
 High triglycerides, a fat in your blood
 Blood test: Blood tests check the levels of certain fats, cholesterol, sugar and
 High blood pressure
protein in the blood that could indicate heart conditions.
 Inflammation from infections, lupus, arthritis or an unknown cause
 CT scan: X-rays and computers are used to create images of the aorta, heart
 Insulin resistance or diabetes
and blood vessels. This provides a more detailed picture than an ultrasound. 
 Obesity
 Electrocardiogram (EKG): This test measures the electrical activity of the
 Smoking or use of other tobacco products
heart and can help determine if parts of the heart are enlarged, overworked or
damaged. The heart’s electrical currents are detected by 12 to 15 electrodes Risk Factors
that are attached to the arms, legs and chest via sticky tape. Atherosclerosis risk factors include:
 Stress testing: This test is conducted during exercise. If a person can't
exercise, medicine is given to increase heart rate. Used along with an EKG, the
Family history: People with a family history of atherosclerosis can develop the
condition, even at a young age, and are at higher risk of developing blood clots that
can rupture.
Prevention
While the risk factor of heredity cannot be controlled, there are ways you can help
to possibly reverse or prevent atherosclerosis:
Practice good heart health: Watch what you eat, exercise and avoid smoking
Take your medications as prescribed: If you have high blood pressure, high
cholesterol or diabetes, be certain to take your prescribed medications as directed.
Prognosis
Atherosclerosis prognosis is good when a blocked artery is treated early with healthy
life-style changes, medicines or medical procedures.
Treatment and Recovery
Atherosclerosis treatment can reduce the size of blood clots and keep others from
forming. A healthy diet, exercise and medication may control or reverse your
condition. Once a blocked artery has been diagnosed, our goal is to develop an
individualized plan to treat it so it will not develop to a dangerous level and rupture.
Depending on your conditions, atherosclerosis treatment can include:
Medication
Medications for treating atherosclerosis are prescribed based on the location of your
blocked artery and other underlying conditions you may have: 
 Cholesterol medications can protect your heart arteries. 
 Aspirin can prevent platelets from forming blood clots. 
 Beta blocker medications can reduce your blood pressure and heart rate and
diminish chest pains, the risk of heart attack and irregular heart rhythm. 
 Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can lower blood pressure and
lower the possibility of having another heart attack.
 Calcium channel blockers and diuretics (water pills) can reduce blood
pressure. 
 A clot-busting drug may dissolve blood clots. Your physician may also
prescribe other medications, based on your needs. It is imperative your blood
pressure be monitored and medications be taken daily as prescribed to lower
the possibility of complications. 
Procedures
Sometimes minimally invasive procedures can be done to help correct
atherosclerosis. Those atherosclerosis procedures can include:
 Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI): This procedure, commonly
known as coronary angioplasty, can open a blocked artery, improve blood flow
and reduce the risk of rhythm problems. During this procedure, the doctor
places a small catheter in your arm or groin, and threads a thin tube through
the blood vessel to your heart. This tube may first be used to inject dye to get a
 clearer picture of any plaque buildup or blockages. Once a buildup or blockage
is identified, a wire with a tiny balloon attached is sent through the tube and into
the blockage, where the balloon is inflated. This stretches the artery and
pushes the plaque to the side, helping restore blood flow. In many cases, a
mesh tube or stent is then placed in the previously blocked area to ensure the
Complications of Atherosclerosis
If atherosclerosis is not diagnosed and treated, it could cause serious health problems
and complications, including: 
 Coronary artery disease: Narrowed arteries near the heart may lead to chest

artery stays open. pain, heart attack or heart failure.

 Peripheral artery disease: Narrowed arteries in your arms or legs may cause
Surgery
circulation problems that make you less sensitive to heat and cold, and can
Atherosclerosis surgery is sometimes the best option. Severe symptoms or a blocked cause gangrene, when tissue dies.
artery may call for surgery including:  Carotid artery disease: Narrowed arteries near the brain may cause transient
ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke.
 Carotid endarterectomy: This surgery removes plaque from a blocked neck
 Aneurysms: A bulge in the wall of an artery, if it bursts, can cause a slow leak
artery, which helps blood flow more freely to the brain and reduces the chance
or life-threatening internal bleeding.
of stroke. 
 Chronic kidney disease: Narrow arteries near the kidneys prevents effective
 Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG): This surgery improves blood flow
kidney function because your lack of blood flow keeps waste from exiting the
to your heart by creating a bypass around your narrowed coronary arteries
body.
using arteries or veins taken from other parts of your body. 

Recovery After Surgery

Depending on how your body heals, you will be in the hospital for one to three days
after a carotid endarterectomy and should feel fully recovered in two to three weeks.
After CABG surgery, you will be in the hospital for four to seven days and full recovery
may take six to 12 weeks.