Key Points for Atherosclerosis Heart Disease

The following are key points for Atherosclerosis Heart Disease:

• 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.
  
  
• Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries, limiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body. This can lead to serious problems, including heart attack, stroke, or even death.
  
  
• Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in the body. As a result, different diseases may develop based on which arteries are affected.
  
  
  • Coronary heart disease (CHD) occurs if plaque builds up in the coronary (heart) arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart. CHD is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Plaque also can form in the heart's smallest arteries. When this happens, it's called coronary micro vascular disease.
    
    
  • Carotid artery disease occurs if plaque builds up in the arteries on each side of your neck. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain.
    
    
  • Peripheral arterial disease occurs if plaque builds up in the major arteries of the legs, arms, and pelvis.
    
    
• The exact cause of atherosclerosis isn't known. It may start when certain factors damage the inner layers of arteries. When damage occurs, your body starts a healing process. The healing may cause plaque to build up where the arteries are damaged.
  
  
• 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, unhealthy diet, 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, a physical exam, and the results from tests.
  
  
• Treatments for atherosclerosis may include lifestyle changes, medicines, and medical procedures and surgery. Lifestyle changes include following a healthy diet, doing physical activity regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and managing 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.
  
  
• Better treatments have reduced the number of deaths from atherosclerosis-related diseases. These treatments also have improved the quality of life for people who have these diseases. However, atherosclerosis remains a common health problem.
  
  
• If you've been diagnosed with atherosclerosis, work closely with your cardiologist and other health care providers to avoid serious problems, such as heart attack and to learn what causes stroke. Get ongoing care and call your cardiologist doctor if you develop any new symptoms or your heart condition symptoms worsen.