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What is atherosclerosis?

View of a normal artery and an artery with plaque buildup
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Atherosclerosis is a type of thickening or hardening of the arteries 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, and can develop in medium or large arteries. The artery wall becomes thickened and stiff.

Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease that may start as early as childhood. However, the disease has the potential to progress rapidly.

What causes atherosclerosis?

It is unknown exactly how atherosclerosis begins or what causes it. Some scientists think that certain risk factors may be associated with atherosclerosis, including:

  • Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels

  • High blood pressure

  • Smoking

  • Type 1 diabetes

  • Obesity

  • Physical inactivity

  • High saturated fat diet

How does the disease progress?

There is a gradual buildup of plaque or thickening of the inside of the walls of the artery, causing a decrease in the amount of blood flow, and a decrease in the oxygen supply to the vital body organs and extremities.

A heart attack may occur if the oxygenated blood supply is reduced to the heart. A stroke may occur if the oxygenated blood supply is cut off to the brain. Severe pain and gangrene may occur if the oxygenated blood supply is reduced to the arms and legs. 

What are the symptoms of atherosclerosis?

Signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis may develop gradually, and may be few, as the plaque 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, aneurysm, or blood clot.

The symptoms of atherosclerosis may resemble other heart conditions. Consult your doctor for a diagnosis.

How is atherosclerosis diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for atherosclerosis may include any, or a combination of, the following:

  • Cardiac catheterization. With this procedure, 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 indicate an obstruction in the blood flow.

  • Blood pressure comparison. Comparing blood pressure measurements in the ankles and in the arms to determine any constriction in blood flow. Significant differences may indicate a narrowing of vessels which could be caused by atherosclerosis.

  • MUGA/radionuclide angiography. A nuclear scan to see how the heart wall moves and how much blood is expelled with each heartbeat, while the person is at rest.

  • Thallium/myocardial perfusion scan. A nuclear scan given while the person is at rest or after exercise that may reveal areas of the heart muscle that are not getting enough blood.

  • Computerized tomography or CT. A type of X-ray test that can see if there is coronary calcification that may suggest a future heart problem. 

Treatment for atherosclerosis

Specific treatment will be determined by your doctor based on:

  • Your age, overall health, and medical history

  • Extent of the disease

  • The location of the blockage

  • Your signs and symptoms

  • Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies

  • Expectations for the course of the disease

  • Your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

  • Modification of risk factors. Risk factors that may be modified include smoking, elevated cholesterol levels, elevated blood glucose levels, lack of exercise, poor dietary habits, and elevated blood pressure.

  • Medications. Medications that may be used to treat carotid artery disease include:

    • Antiplatelet medications. Medications used to decrease the ability of platelets in the blood to stick together and cause clots. Aspirin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine, and dipyridamole are examples of antiplatelet medications.

    • Anticoagulants. Also described as blood thinners, these medications work differently than antiplatelet medications to decrease the ability of the blood to clot. An example of an anticoagulant is warfarin.

    • Antihyperlipidemics. Medications used to lower lipids (fats) in the blood, particularly Low Density Lipid (LDL) cholesterol. Statins are a group of antihyperlipidemic medications, and include simvastatin, atorvastatin, and pravastatin, among others. Bile acid sequestrants—colesevelam, cholestyramine and colestipol—and nicotinic acid are two other types of medications that may be used to reduce cholesterol levels.


View od artery showing plaque build up and balloon catheter
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  • Coronary angioplasty. With this procedure, a balloon is used to create a bigger opening in the vessel to increase blood flow. Although angioplasty is performed in other blood vessels elsewhere in the body, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) refers to angioplasty in the coronary arteries to permit more blood flow into the heart. PCI is also called percutaneous coronary intervention. There are several types of PCI procedures, including:


    • Atherectomy. The blocked area inside the artery is shaved away by a tiny device on the end of a catheter.

    • Laser angioplasty. A laser used to vaporize the blockage in the artery.


Part of an artery showing plaque build up. A catheter and stent are in place.
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  • Coronary artery bypass. Most commonly referred to as simply bypass surgery, this surgery is often performed in people who have angina (chest pain) due to coronary artery disease (where plaque has built up in the arteries). During the surgery, a bypass is created by grafting a piece of a vein above and below the blocked area of a coronary artery, enabling blood to flow around the obstruction. Veins are usually taken from the leg, but arteries from the chest or arm may also be used to create a bypass graft.