Vascular & Heart • Learn
What Is Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis means plaque is building up inside your arteries. Over time, plaque can narrow, stiffen, or damage blood vessels, reducing blood flow and increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other circulation problems.
Also called plaque buildup, hardening of the arteries, clogged arteries, artery narrowing, arterial plaque, ASCVD, atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or vascular disease.
Plain English
Atherosclerosis happens when plaque builds up inside the walls of the arteries. Plaque is made of fats, cholesterol, calcium, inflammatory cells, and other substances. As plaque collects, the artery can become narrower, stiffer, and less able to carry blood smoothly.
Why it matters
Atherosclerosis can affect arteries anywhere in the body. When it affects the heart arteries, it can lead to coronary artery disease or heart attack. When it affects arteries to the brain, it can increase stroke risk. When it affects arteries in the legs, it can cause peripheral artery disease.
Key numbers and tests
Important markers include LDL, non-HDL, HDL, ApoB, Lipoprotein(a), triglycerides, blood pressure, A1C and glucose, coronary calcium score, carotid ultrasound, ankle-brachial index (ABI), and CT angiogram or angiogram findings.
How it can progress
Stages range from early artery wall damage and cholesterol/inflammation buildup, to growing plaque and narrowing arteries, to limited blood flow, plaque rupture and clot formation, and long-term vascular complications such as coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, carotid artery disease, kidney artery disease, heart failure, or stroke.
Symptoms
Atherosclerosis often develops silently. Heart-related symptoms may include chest pressure, shortness of breath, or pain in the arm, jaw, neck, back, or upper abdomen. Brain symptoms can include sudden face drooping, weakness, speech trouble, vision changes, balance problems, or severe headache. Leg symptoms can include pain with walking, numbness, coldness, or slow-healing sores.
Outlook
The outlook depends on where plaque is located, how much narrowing is present, whether symptoms are occurring, whether a heart attack or stroke has happened, and how well risk factors are controlled. Many people lower risk and live active lives with the right care plan.
How diet and exercise help
Reducing saturated and trans fats, eating more fiber, choosing heart-healthy fats, limiting ultra-processed foods, reducing sodium and added sugars, and consistent safe activity can support cholesterol, blood pressure, and overall vascular risk.
Metrics to monitor
Home metrics include blood pressure, heart rate, chest and leg symptoms, stroke-like symptoms, activity tolerance, weight, blood glucose, medication adherence, smoking status, and diet. Report-based metrics include LDL, HDL, triglycerides, total and non-HDL cholesterol, ApoB, Lp(a), A1C, kidney function, hs-CRP, calcium score, carotid ultrasound, ABI, stress test results, EKG, echocardiogram, and CT angiogram or angiogram findings.
Common questions
What is atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is plaque buildup inside the arteries. Plaque can narrow, stiffen, or damage arteries and reduce blood flow to organs and tissues.
Is atherosclerosis the same as hardening of the arteries?
Atherosclerosis is one type of arteriosclerosis, often described as hardening or narrowing of the arteries caused by plaque buildup.
Can atherosclerosis have no symptoms?
Yes. Atherosclerosis can develop silently for years. Symptoms may not appear until blood flow is significantly reduced or a plaque ruptures and causes a clot.
Can atherosclerosis be reversed?
Plaque and risk may sometimes be stabilized or improved with intensive lifestyle changes, medications, and medical care. Ongoing monitoring and professional guidance are important.