Atherosclerosis

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Angina	Atherosclerosis	Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the left artery	Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the right artery
Cholesterol producers	Coronary artery balloon angioplasty - series	Developmental process of atherosclerosis	Enlarged view of atherosclerosis
Prevention of heart disease

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fatty material collects along the walls of arteries. This fatty material thickens, hardens, and may eventually block the arteries.

Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis, which involves thickening and hardening of artery walls. The two terms are often used to mean the same thing.

Arteriosclerosis; Hardening of the arteries; Plaque buildup - arteries

Atherosclerosis is a common disorder of the arteries. It occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard substances called plaque.

Eventually, the plaque deposits can make the artery less flexible. This makes it harder for blood to flow. If blood flow in the arteries leading to the heart is reduced, chest pain can occur. Plaques can also break apart, causing pieces of material to move through the artery. This is a common cause of heart attack and stroke. Blood clots can also form around the plaque deposits. Clots block blood flow. If the clot moves into the heart, lungs, or brain, it can cause a stroke, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis include:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High blood cholesterol
• High-fat diet
• High blood pressure
• Personal or family history of heart disease

Cerebrovascular disease , peripheral vascular disease , and kidney disease involving dialysis have also been linked to atherosclerosis.

Review Date: 02/23/2007
Reviewed By: Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Private practice specializing in Cardiovascular Disease, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.