atherosclerosis is a gradual process whereby hard cholesterol substances (plaques) are deposited in the walls of the arteries. cholesterol plaques cause hardening of the artery walls and narrowing of the inner channel (lumen) of the artery. arteries carry blood that is enriched with oxygen and nutrients to the vital organs such as the brain heart kidneys and liver. arteries also transport blood to other tissues such as the fingers toes nerves bones skin and muscles. healthy arteries can deliver an ample supply of blood to the organs and tissues. in contrast arteries that are narrowed by atherosclerosis have difficulty delivering blood to the parts of the body they supply. for example atherosclerosis of the arteries in the legs causes poor circulation in the lower extremities. poor circulation in the lower extremities can lead to pain while walking or exercising deficient wound healing and/or leg ulcers. atherosclerosis can also cause the complete blockage of an artery from a blood clot. this complete blockage interrupts oxygen supply and results in tissue injury or death. thus the blockage of an artery that furnishes blood to the brain can lead to a stroke (death of brain tissue). likewise the blockage of the arteries to the heart can result in a heart attack (death of heart muscle) also called myocardial infarction (mi).
what is atherosclerosis?