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Key Points
- Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque
builds up on the insides of your arteries.
- Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your
arteries. The flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your
body is reduced. This can lead to serious problems, including
heart
attack,
stroke, or even death.
- Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in the
body.
- Coronary
artery disease (CAD) occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary (heart)
arteries. CAD is a leading cause of death in the United States.
- Carotid artery disease happens when plaque builds up in the
carotid arteries (the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to your
brain).
-
Peripheral
arterial disease (PAD) occurs when plaque builds up in the major arteries
of the legs, arms, and pelvis.
- The exact cause of atherosclerosis isnt
known. It may start when certain factors damage the inner layers of arteries.
When damage occurs, your body starts a healing process. This healing causes
plaque to build up where the arteries are damaged. Over time, the plaque may
crack and causes blood clots to form in the arteries. This can worsen
angina
(chest pain) or cause a heart attack.
- Many factors raise your risk for atherosclerosis.
Major risk factors include
unhealthy
cholesterol levels,
high
blood pressure, smoking, insulin resistance,
diabetes,
overweight
or obesity, lack of physical activity, age, and a family history of early
heart disease.
- Atherosclerosis usually doesn't cause signs and
symptoms until it severely narrows or totally blocks an artery. Many people
don't know they have the disease until they have a medical emergency, such as a
heart attack or stroke. Other signs and symptoms depend on which arteries are
narrowed or blocked.
- Your doctor will diagnose atherosclerosis based
on your medical and family histories, your risk factors, and the results of a
physical exam and diagnostic tests.
- Treatments for atherosclerosis may include
lifestyle changes, medicines, and medical procedures and surgery. Lifestyle
changes include following a healthy eating plan, increasing physical activity,
maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and reducing stress.
- Taking steps to control your risk factors can
help prevent or delay atherosclerosis and its related diseases. These steps
include making lifestyle changes and/or taking medicines as prescribed by your
doctor.
- Improved treatments have helped reduce deaths
from atherosclerosis-related diseases. However, the number of people diagnosed
with atherosclerosis remains high.
- If you've been diagnosed with atherosclerosis,
you can control the disease with lifestyle changes and/or medicines. See your
doctor regularly, and call him or her if you develop any new symptoms or your
symptoms worsen.
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Living With
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