Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up on the
inside of arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol,
calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time,
plaque hardens and narrows the arteries. The flow of oxygen-rich
blood to your organs and other parts of your body is reduced.
This can lead to serious problems, including heart attack,
stroke, or even death. Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in
the body. The effect on three different artery types can be
described as: 1) Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when
plaque builds up in the coronary (heart) arteries, CAD is a
leading cause of death in the United States; 2) Carotid artery
disease happens when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries
(the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to your brain); 3)
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when plaque builds up
in the major arteries of the legs, arms, and pelvis. Many
factors raise the risk for atherosclerosis. Major risk factors
include unhealthy cholesterol levels, high