 [ Symptoms ] how does atherosclerosis damage the cardiovascular system [ Disease ] plaques from atherosclerosis can stay within the artery wall there the plaque grows then stops they do not block blood flow so may never cause symptoms grow in a slow controlled way into the path of blood flow eventually they cause significant blockages pain on exertion in the chest or legs is the usual symptom in the worst case they can suddenly rupture allowing blood to clot inside an artery in the brain this causes a stroke in the heart a heart attack the plaques cause three kinds of cardiovascular disease coronary artery disease stable plaques in the heart is arteries cause angina chest pain on exertion sudden plaque rupture and clotting causes heart muscle to die this is a heart attack or myocardial infarction cerebrovascular disease ruptured plaques in the brain is arteries causes strokes with potential for permanent brain damage temporary artery blockages can also cause transient ischemic attacks tias warning signs of stroke however there is no brain injury peripheral artery disease narrowing in the arteries of the legs caused by plaque that causes poor circulation pain on walking and poor wound healing severe disease may lead to amputations