Sometimes a blood clot completely blocks blood flow, or even breaks apart and can trigger a heart attack or stroke. Symptoms of moderate to severe atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected.
For example:. If you think you have atherosclerosis, talk to your doctor. Also pay attention to early symptoms of inadequate blood flow, such as chest pain angina , leg pain or numbness. Early diagnosis and treatment can stop atherosclerosis from worsening and prevent a heart attack, stroke or another medical emergency. If you have too many cholesterol particles in your blood, cholesterol may accumulate on your artery walls. Eventually, deposits called plaques may form. The deposits may narrow — or block — your arteries.
These plaques can also burst, causing a blood clot to form. Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease that may begin as early as childhood. Although the exact cause is unknown, atherosclerosis may start with damage or injury to the inner layer of an artery.
The damage may be caused by:. Once the inner wall of an artery is damaged, blood cells and other substances often clump at the injury site and build up in the inner lining of the artery. Over time, fatty deposits plaque made of cholesterol and other cellular products also build up at the injury site and harden, narrowing your arteries. The organs and tissues connected to the blocked arteries then don't receive enough blood to function properly.
In addition, the smooth lining of the plaque may rupture, spilling cholesterol and other substances into your bloodstream. This may cause a blood clot, which can block the blood flow to a specific part of your body, such as occurs when blocked blood flow to your heart causes a heart attack.
A blood clot can also travel to other parts of your body, blocking flow to another organ. Hardening of the arteries occurs over time. Besides aging, factors that may increase your risk of atherosclerosis include:.
Atherosclerosis can also cause aneurysms, a serious complication that can occur anywhere in your body. An aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of your artery. Most people with aneurysms have no symptoms. Pain and throbbing in the area of an aneurysm may occur and is a medical emergency. If an aneurysm bursts, you may face life-threatening internal bleeding. Although this is usually a sudden, catastrophic event, a slow leak is possible. Atherosclerosis thickening or hardening of the arteries.
It is caused by a buildup of plaque in the inner lining of an artery. Plaque is made up of deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin.
As it builds up in the arteries, the artery walls become thickened and stiff. Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease that may start as early as childhood. However, it can progress rapidly. It's not clear exactly how atherosclerosis starts or what causes it. However, a gradual buildup of plaque or thickening due to inflammation occurs on the inside of the walls of the artery.
This reduces blood flow and oxygen supply to the vital body organs and extremities. Signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis may develop gradually, and may be few, as the plaque gradually builds up in the artery.
Symptoms may also vary depending on the affected artery. However, when a major artery is blocked, signs and symptoms may be severe, such as those occurring with heart attack, stroke, or blood clot. The symptoms of atherosclerosis may look like other heart conditions. See your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. First, your doctor will do a complete medical history and physical exam. You may also have one or more of these tests:. Cardiac catheterization. With this procedure, a long thin tube catheter is passed into the coronary arteries.
X-rays are taken after a dye is injected into an artery to locate the narrowing, blockages, and other abnormalities of specific arteries.
Doppler sonography. A special probe is used to direct sound waves into a blood vessel to evaluate blood flow. An audio receiver amplifies the sound of the blood moving though the vessel. Faintness or absence of sound may mean there is a blockage. This is used to identify narrowing of the blood vessels of the abdomen, neck, or legs. Blood pressure comparison. Hardening of the arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Plaque buildup - arteries; Hyperlipidemia - atherosclerosis; Cholesterol - atherosclerosis.
J Am Coll Cardiol. PMID: pubmed. Genest J, Libby P. Lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular disease. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Libby P. The vascular biology of atherosclerosis.
Marks AR. Cardiac and circulatory function. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Final recommendation statement: statin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults: preventive medication.
Updated November 13, Accessed January 28, Updated by: Michael A. Editorial team. Atherosclerosis is a common disorder. Watch this video about: Atherosclerosis. Exams and Tests. Screening should begin between ages 20 to 35 for men and ages 20 to 45 for women.
Repeat testing is not needed for five years for most adults with normal cholesterol levels. Repeat testing may be needed if lifestyle changes occur, such as large increase in weight or a change in diet. More frequent testing is needed for adults with a history of high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney problems, heart disease, stroke, and other conditions A number of imaging tests may be used to see how well blood moves through your arteries.
Doppler tests that use ultrasound or sound waves Magnetic resonance arteriography MRA , a special type of MRI scan Special CT scans called CT angiography Arteriograms or angiography that use x-rays and contrast material sometimes called "dye" to see the path of blood flow inside the arteries.
Lifestyle changes will reduce your risk of atherosclerosis. Things you can do include: Quit smoking : This is the single most important change you can make to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Avoid fatty foods: Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and cholesterol.
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