What makes up arterial deposits

High blood pressure , high LDL cholesterol and smoking can all worsen atherosclerosis. High blood pressure and the toxins in tobacco products damage the smooth inner lining of the artery, called the endothelium. These and other causes of inflammation of the artery lining contribute to cholesterol and other materials embedding in the artery wall to form plaques. Additionally, some people are predisposed to having atherosclerosis. A genetic condition called familial hypercholesterolemia causes some people to have abnormally very high LDL cholesterol levels in the bloodstream.

Plaque builds up in arteries throughout the body, but not all plaques are equally dangerous. You might hear the term vulnerable plaque. This refers to a soft plaque that has a thin, fibrous cap. This plaque is more likely to rupture, causing a blood clot to form at the rupture site, cutting off or restricting blood flow, and potentially causing a heart attack or stroke.

Plaque formation in arteries can be slowed. Unlike going to the dentist and having plaque removed from your teeth, this is not so easily done in the blood vessels. But improvements can be made. The blocked area inside the artery is shaved away by a tiny device on the end of a catheter.

Coronary artery stent. A tiny mesh coil is expanded inside the blocked artery to open the blocked area and is left in place to keep the artery open.

Most commonly referred to as bypass surgery, this surgery is often done in people who have angina chest pain due to coronary artery disease where plaque has built up in the arteries. During the surgery, a bypass is created by grafting a piece of a healthy vein from elsewhere in the body and attaching it above and below the blocked area of a coronary artery.

This lets blood flow around the blockage. Veins are usually taken from the leg or from the chest wall. Sometimes more than one artery needs to be bypassed during the same surgery.

Plaque buildup inside the arteries reduces the blood flow. A heart attack may occur if the blood supply is reduced to the heart. A damaged heart muscle may not pump as well and can lead to heart failure. A stroke may occur if the blood supply is cut off to the brain.

Severe pain and tissue death may occur if the blood supply is reduced to the arms and legs. You can prevent or delay atherosclerosis by reducing risk factors. This includes adopting a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet, losing weight, being physically active, and not smoking can help reduce your risk of atherosclerosis.

A healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, skinless chicken, seafood, and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. A healthy diet also limits sodium, refined sugars and grains, and solid fats. Atherosclerosis cannot be reversed once it has occurred.

However, lifestyle changes and treating high cholesterol levels can prevent or slow the process from becoming worse. This can help reduce the chances of having a heart attack and stroke as a result of atherosclerosis. In some cases, the plaque is part of a process that causes a weakening of 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. Hardening of the arteries; Arteriosclerosis; Plaque buildup - arteries; Hyperlipidemia - atherosclerosis; Cholesterol - atherosclerosis.

J Am Coll Cardiol. PMID: pubmed. Genest J, Libby P. Lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular disease. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; chap Libby P. The vascular biology of atherosclerosis.

Marks AR. Cardiac and circulatory function. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Final recommendation statement: statin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults: preventive medication. Updated November 13, Cholesterol Tools and Resources. Cholesterol Podcasts. Do you have questions about cholesterol?

We have answers. Our FREE cholesterol guide will help you understand and manage your cholesterol, so you can take action and live healthy! Atherosclerosis and cholesterol Plaque fatty deposits build up in your arteries is called atherosclerosis. This can lead to conditions such as: Coronary heart disease plaque in arteries in or leading to the heart Angina chest pain from reduced blood flow to the heart muscle Carotid artery disease plaque in neck arteries supplying blood to the brain Peripheral artery disease , or PAD plaque in arteries of the extremities, especially the legs Chronic kidney disease Plaque presents a double threat Plaque itself can pose a risk.

In either case, the artery can be blocked, cutting off blood flow.