The plaques of atherosclerosis cause the three main kinds of cardiovascular disease 1 : Coronary artery disease: Stable plaques in the heart's arteries cause angina (chest pain on exertion). 2 Sudden plaque rupture and clotting causes heart muscle to die. 3 This is a heart attack, or myocardial infarction.
Atherosclerosis (also known as arteriosclerotic vascular disease or ASVD) is a specific form of arteriosclerosis in which an artery wall thickens as a result of invasion and accumulation of white blood cells (WBCs) (foam cell) and proliferation of intimal smooth muscle cell creating a fibrofatty plaque.  Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Plaque is made of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin (a clotting material in the blood). Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis. If either of these occurs and blocks the artery, a heart attack or stroke may result. Atherosclerosis affects large and medium-sized arteries. The type of artery affected and where the plaque develops varies with each person. Peripheral arterial disease (P.A.D.) occurs if plaque builds up in the major arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to your legs, arms, and pelvis. If blood flow to these parts of your body is reduced or blocked, you may have numbness, pain, and, sometimes, dangerous infections. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body. Atherosclerosis can lead to serious problems, including heart attack, stroke, or even death. 1 Coronary arteries. 2  Atherosclerosis in arteries that carry blood to the heart may cause chest pain and pressure – also symptoms of a heart attack. 3  Carotid arteries. 4  Atherosclerosis in arteries that carry blood to the brain can lead to numbness in the limbs, droopy facial muscles, dizziness, and difficulty speaking. Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries that results from a buildup of plaque. Plaque is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, clotting agents, cell debris, and other substances normally found in circulating blood. Atherosclerosis is the usual cause of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease -- what together are called  cardiovascular disease .. Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer in America, with more than 800,000 deaths in 2005. Plaques from atherosclerosis can behave in different ways. 1  They can stay within the artery wall. 2  There, the plaque grows to a certain size and stops. 3  Since this plaque doesn't block blood flow, it may never cause symptoms. 4  Plaque can grow in a slow, controlled way into the path of blood flow. Arteriosclerosis is the result of the healing process as a result of the lining of arteries being damaged. The result is a scar over the site of the damage which could cause: 1  Narrowing of the artery (and so impaired blood supply distally).  1 Arteriosclerosis is the stiffening or hardening of the artery walls. 2  Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of the artery because of plaque build-up. 3  Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are different conditions: 1  Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart and other parts of your body. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body. Atherosclerosis can lead to serious problems, including heart attack, stroke, or even death. 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 plaques of atherosclerosis cause the three main kinds of cardiovascular disease 1  : Coronary artery disease: Stable plaques in the heart's arteries cause angina (chest pain on exertion). 2  Sudden plaque rupture and clotting causes heart muscle to die. 3  This is a heart attack, or myocardial infarction. Plaques from atherosclerosis can behave in different ways. 1  They can stay within the artery wall. 2  There, the plaque grows to a certain size and stops. 3  Since this plaque doesn't block blood flow, it may never cause symptoms. 4  Plaque can grow in a slow, controlled way into the path of blood flow.
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what is a major cause of arteriosclerosis