What is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a type of hardening or thickening of your arteries that can cause problems with your heart, brain and other parts of your body. It usually starts in childhood but can progress quickly as you age.

Athlerosclerosis can affect any artery in your body, but it is most common in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to your heart. If this condition is severe, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

It can also affect the carotid arteries, which supply blood to your brain. Restricted blood flow can cause a stroke, which is a sudden and severe loss of brain function that can result in memory loss or a slurred speech.

The arteries that carry blood to your kidneys can also become narrowed or blocked, which can lead to chronic kidney disease. As the condition gets worse, you may notice symptoms like extreme tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), swelling in your hands or feet, and itchiness or numbness.

There are ways to reduce your risk for developing atherosclerosis. This includes exercising, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking.

Medication can also lower your risk of developing atherosclerosis by reducing your cholesterol levels and blood pressure. These treatments slow the progression of plaque buildup and help keep your arteries open so they can effectively deliver oxygen-rich blood to your body.

Other factors can make your arteries more susceptible to atherosclerosis, such as your genetics or certain illnesses. If you have a family history of atherosclerosis, or you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, it’s important to talk to your doctor about these risks.

Atherosclerosis doesn’t cause any symptoms until it clogs an artery to the point of cutting off blood flow. Once an artery is narrowed, the blockage may cause chest pain or shortness of breath.

It can also rupture, causing blood clots that can travel to another part of your body and cause an infection, a heart attack or a stroke. It can also block arteries to your arms or legs, which can result in gangrene and tissue death.

There are many tests that can tell your doctor if you have atherosclerosis. They include a physical exam, imaging tests and diagnostic tests.

Your doctor may also recommend medications that can reduce your cholesterol levels, lower your blood pressure or prevent blood clots and inflammation. These medicines can help slow the progression of atherosclerosis, and they can often treat any associated complications.

You may need to take medication for the rest of your life, but that’s better than letting it progress and getting serious conditions like a heart attack or stroke. It’s important to continue taking these drugs as prescribed by your doctor, and never stop without discussing it with them.

Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes in the United States. It is also a leading cause of hospitalizations and death in men and women of all ages.