Hardening of the arteries

Atherosclerosis; Arteriosclerosis; Plaque buildup - arteries

Hardening of the arteries (also called atherosclerosis), is a common disorder. It occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. These deposits form hard structures called plaques.

Over time, these plaques can block the arteries and cause problems throughout the body.

Causes

Hardening of the arteries is a process that often occurs with aging. As you grow older, plaque buildup narrows your arteries and makes them stiffer. These changes make it harder for blood to flow through them.

Blood clots may form in the narrowed arteries and block blood flow. Pieces of plaque can also break off and move to smaller blood vessels. This can block blood flow.

When blockages occur, blood and oxygen cannot reach the tissues. This can result in tissue damage or death of the tissue. Artery blockage is a common cause of heart attack or stroke.

High blood cholesterol levels can cause hardening of the arteries at a younger age.

For many people, high cholesterol levels are the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. Common risk factors include a diet that is high in fat, lack of exercise, and being overweight.

Unhealthy lifestyle

Good health habits can you avoid illness and improve your quality of life. The following steps will help you feel better and live better. Get regula...

Symptoms

Hardening of the arteries does not cause symptoms until blood flow to part of the body becomes slowed or blocked.

If the arteries to the heart become narrow, blood flow to the heart can slow down or stop. This can cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath, and other symptoms.

Narrowed or blocked arteries may also cause problems and symptoms in your intestines, kidneys, legs, and brain.

Exams and Tests

A health care provider will perform a physical exam and listen to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. Hardening of the arteries can create a whooshing or blowing sound ("bruit") over an artery.

Some guidelines recommend having your first cholesterol test at age 20. Everyone should have their first screening test by age 35 in men, and age 45 in women. (Different experts recommend different starting ages.)

Age 35 in men

All adults should visit their health care provider from time to time, even if they are healthy. The purpose of these visits is to:Screen for disease...

Arteriograms or angiography

Treatment

Lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of hardening of the arteries:

Quit smoking. This is the single most important change you can make to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.

Avoid fatty foods. Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and cholesterol. Include several daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Adding fish to your diet at least twice a week may be helpful. However, do not eat fried fish.

Limit how much alcohol you drink. The safe limit is one drink a day for women and two a day for men.

Stay physically active. Get 30 minutes a day of exercise if you are not overweight, and for 60 to 90 minutes a day if you are overweight. Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise plan. This is very important if you have been diagnosed with heart disease or you have had a heart attack.

Get your blood pressure checked every 1 to 2 years before age 50 and yearly after age 50. Have your blood pressure checked more often if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or you have had a stroke. Talk to your doctor about how often you should have your blood pressure checked.

If your blood pressure is high, it is important for you to lower it and keep it under control.

Everyone should keep their blood pressure below 140/90 mmHg.

If you have diabetes, kidney disease, or have had a stroke or heart attack, your blood pressure target may be lower. Ask your doctor what your blood pressure should be.

Your doctor may want you to take medicine for high cholesterol levels if lifestyle changes do not work. This will depend on:

Your age

Whether you have heart disease or other blood flow problems

Whether you smoke or are overweight

Whether you have high blood pressure or diabetes

Your doctor may tell you to take aspirin or another medicine to help prevent blood in your arteries. These medicines are called antiplatelet drugs. DO NOT take aspirin without first talking to your doctor.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Hardening of the arteries cannot be reversed once it is started. However, lifestyle changes and treating high cholesterol levels can prevent or slow the process.

In some cases, the plaque can cause a weak spot in the wall of an artery. This can lead to a bulge in an artery called an aneurysm. Aneurysms can break open (rupture). This causes bleeding that can be life-threatening.

Aneurysm

An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel.

Hardening of arteries

Atherosclerosis Causes

Animation

Atherosclerosis Causes - Animation

This animation shows Ath...

Animation

This animation shows Atherosclerosis - Animation

Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the left artery - illustration

A carotid arteriogram is an x-ray study designed to determine if there is narrowing or other abnormality in the carotid artery, a main artery to the brain. This is an angiogram of the left common carotid artery (both front-to-back and side views) showing a severe narrowing (stenosis) of the internal carotid artery just beyond the division of the common carotid artery into the internal and external branches.

Carotid stenosis, X-ray ...

illustration

Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the right artery - illustration

This is an angiogram of the right carotid artery showing a severe narrowing (stenosis) of the internal carotid artery just past the carotid fork. There is enlargement of the artery or ulceration in the area after the stenosis in this close-up film. Note the narrowed segment toward the bottom of the picture.

Carotid stenosis, X-ray ...

illustration

Enlarged view of atherosclerosis - illustration

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries in which fatty material and plaque are deposited in the wall of an artery, resulting in narrowing of the arterial lumen and eventual impairment of blood flow.

Enlarged view of atheros...

illustration

Prevention of heart disease - illustration

Heart disease may be prevented by recommended healthy diet, regular exercise and to stop smoking if you are a smoker. Follow your health care provider's recommendations for treatment and prevention of heart disease.

Prevention of heart dise...

illustration

Developmental process of atherosclerosis - illustration

The development of arterial atherosclerosis may occur when deposits of cholesterol and plaque accumulate at a tear in the inner lining of an artery. As the deposits harden and occlude the arterial lumen, blood flow to distant tissues decreases and a clot may become lodged, completely blocking the artery.

Developmental process of...

illustration

Angina - illustration

Angina is a specific type of pain in the chest caused by inadequate blood flow through the blood vessels (coronary vessels) of the heart muscle (myocardium).

Angina

illustration

Atherosclerosis - illustration

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries in which fatty material is deposited in the vessel wall, resulting in narrowing and eventual impairment of blood flow. Severely restricted blood flow in the arteries to the heart muscle leads to symptoms such as chest pain. Atherosclerosis shows no symptoms until a complication occurs.

Atherosclerosis

illustration

Cholesterol producers - illustration

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like material that is found in all parts of the body. It comes from two sources: our liver produces it, and we consume it in meat and dairy products.

Cholesterol producers

illustration

Normal anatomy

Presentation

Hardening of arteries

Animation

Hardening of arteries - Animation

Atherosclerosis Causes

Animation

Atherosclerosis Causes - Animation

This animation shows Ath...

Animation

This animation shows Atherosclerosis - Animation

Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the left artery - illustration

A carotid arteriogram is an x-ray study designed to determine if there is narrowing or other abnormality in the carotid artery, a main artery to the brain. This is an angiogram of the left common carotid artery (both front-to-back and side views) showing a severe narrowing (stenosis) of the internal carotid artery just beyond the division of the common carotid artery into the internal and external branches.

Carotid stenosis, X-ray ...

illustration

Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the right artery - illustration

This is an angiogram of the right carotid artery showing a severe narrowing (stenosis) of the internal carotid artery just past the carotid fork. There is enlargement of the artery or ulceration in the area after the stenosis in this close-up film. Note the narrowed segment toward the bottom of the picture.

Carotid stenosis, X-ray ...

illustration

Enlarged view of atherosclerosis - illustration

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries in which fatty material and plaque are deposited in the wall of an artery, resulting in narrowing of the arterial lumen and eventual impairment of blood flow.

Enlarged view of atheros...

illustration

Prevention of heart disease - illustration

Heart disease may be prevented by recommended healthy diet, regular exercise and to stop smoking if you are a smoker. Follow your health care provider's recommendations for treatment and prevention of heart disease.

Prevention of heart dise...

illustration

Developmental process of atherosclerosis - illustration

The development of arterial atherosclerosis may occur when deposits of cholesterol and plaque accumulate at a tear in the inner lining of an artery. As the deposits harden and occlude the arterial lumen, blood flow to distant tissues decreases and a clot may become lodged, completely blocking the artery.

Developmental process of...

illustration

Angina - illustration

Angina is a specific type of pain in the chest caused by inadequate blood flow through the blood vessels (coronary vessels) of the heart muscle (myocardium).

Angina

illustration

Atherosclerosis - illustration

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries in which fatty material is deposited in the vessel wall, resulting in narrowing and eventual impairment of blood flow. Severely restricted blood flow in the arteries to the heart muscle leads to symptoms such as chest pain. Atherosclerosis shows no symptoms until a complication occurs.

Atherosclerosis

illustration

Cholesterol producers - illustration

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like material that is found in all parts of the body. It comes from two sources: our liver produces it, and we consume it in meat and dairy products.