What makes up plaque in arteries

View all trials from ClinicalTrials. Visit Children and Clinical Studies to hear experts, parents, and children talk about their experiences with clinical research. Also known as Arteriosclerosis , Hardening of arteries. What Is - Atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis Figure A shows a normal artery with normal blood flow. The inset image shows a cross-section of a normal artery.

Figure B shows an artery with plaque buildup. The inset image shows a cross-section of an artery with plaque buildup. Atherosclerosis-Related Diseases Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in the body, including arteries in the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis, and kidneys.

Ischemic Heart Disease Ischemic heart disease happens when the arteries of the heart cannot deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to the tissues of the heart when it is needed during periods of stress or physical effort. Carotid Artery Disease Carotid ka-ROT-id artery disease occurs if plaque builds up in the arteries on each side of your neck the carotid arteries. Peripheral Artery Disease Peripheral artery disease P.

Chronic Kidney Disease Chronic kidney disease can occur if plaque builds up in the renal arteries. Overview The cause of atherosclerosis isn't known. Outlook Improved treatments have reduced the number of deaths from atherosclerosis-related diseases.

Other Names - Atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis Hardening of the arteries. Causes - Atherosclerosis. These factors include: Smoking High amounts of certain fats and cholesterol in the blood High blood pressure High amounts of sugar in the blood due to insulin resistance or diabetes Plaque may begin to build up where the arteries are damaged. They hope to find answers to questions such as: Why and how do the arteries become damaged?

How does plaque develop and change over time? Why does plaque rupture and lead to blood clots? Risk Factors - Atherosclerosis. Major Risk Factors Unhealthy blood cholesterol levels. This includes high LDL cholesterol sometimes called "bad" cholesterol and low HDL cholesterol sometimes called "good" cholesterol.

High blood pressure. The mmHg is millimeters of mercury—the units used to measure blood pressure. Smoking can damage and tighten blood vessels, raise cholesterol levels, and raise blood pressure. Smoking also doesn't allow enough oxygen to reach the body's tissues. Insulin resistance. This condition occurs if the body can't use its insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps move blood sugar into cells where it's used as an energy source. Insulin resistance may lead to diabetes.

With this disease, the body's blood sugar level is too high because the body doesn't make enough insulin or doesn't use its insulin properly. Overweight or obesity. The terms "overweight" and "obesity" refer to body weight that's greater than what is considered healthy for a certain height. Lack of physical activity. A lack of physical activity can worsen other risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as unhealthy blood cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, diabetes, and overweight and obesity.

Unhealthy diet. An unhealthy diet can raise your risk for atherosclerosis. Foods that are high in saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, sodium salt , and sugar can worsen other atherosclerosis risk factors.

Older age. As you get older, your risk for atherosclerosis increases. Genetic or lifestyle factors cause plaque to build up in your arteries as you age. By the time you're middle-aged or older, enough plaque has built up to cause signs or symptoms.

In men, the risk increases after age In women, the risk increases after age Family history of early heart disease. Your risk for atherosclerosis increases if your father or a brother was diagnosed with heart disease before 55 years of age, or if your mother or a sister was diagnosed with heart disease before 65 years of age. Emerging Risk Factors Scientists continue to study other possible risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Studies are under way to find out whether genetics may play a role in atherosclerosis risk. Other Factors That Affect Atherosclerosis Other factors also may raise your risk for atherosclerosis, such as: Sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a disorder that causes one or more pauses in breathing or shallow breaths while you sleep.

Untreated sleep apnea can raise your risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, and even a heart attack or stroke. Research shows that the most commonly reported "trigger" for a heart attack is an emotionally upsetting event, especially one involving anger. Heavy drinking can damage the heart muscle and worsen other risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Men should have no more than two drinks containing alcohol a day. Women should have no more than one drink containing alcohol a day. Screening and Prevention - Atherosclerosis.

One step you can take is to adopt a healthy lifestyle, which can include: Heart-Healthy Eating. Signs, Symptoms, and Complications - Atherosclerosis. Coronary Arteries The coronary arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart.

Carotid Arteries The carotid arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain. These symptoms may include: Sudden weakness Paralysis an inability to move or numbness of the face, arms, or legs, especially on one side of the body Confusion Trouble speaking or understanding speech Trouble seeing in one or both eyes Problems breathing Dizziness, trouble walking, loss of balance or coordination, and unexplained falls Loss of consciousness Sudden and severe headache Peripheral Arteries Plaque also can build up in the major arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the legs, arms, and pelvis a disease called peripheral artery disease.

Renal Arteries The renal arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your kidneys. Diagnosis - Atherosclerosis. Specialists Involved If you have atherosclerosis, a primary care doctor, such as an internist or family practitioner, may handle your care.

Your doctor may recommend other health care specialists if you need expert care, such as: A cardiologist. This is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating heart diseases and conditions. You may go to a cardiologist if you have peripheral artery disease P. A vascular specialist. This is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating blood vessel problems.

You may go to a vascular specialist if you have P. A neurologist. This is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating nervous system disorders. You may see a neurologist if you've had a stroke due to carotid artery disease. The symptoms of atherosclerosis may look like other heart conditions. See your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

First, your doctor will do a complete medical history and physical exam. You may also have one or more of these tests:. Cardiac catheterization. With this procedure, a long thin tube catheter is passed into the coronary arteries. X-rays are taken after a dye is injected into an artery to locate the narrowing, blockages, and other abnormalities of specific arteries.

Doppler sonography. A special probe is used to direct sound waves into a blood vessel to evaluate blood flow. An audio receiver amplifies the sound of the blood moving though the vessel. Faintness or absence of sound may mean there is a blockage. This is used to identify narrowing of the blood vessels of the abdomen, neck, or legs. Blood pressure comparison. Comparing blood pressure measurements in the ankles and in the arms helps determine any constriction in blood flow.

Significant differences may mean blood vessels are narrowed due to atherosclerosis. This is a nuclear scan to see how the heart wall moves and how much blood is expelled with each heartbeat, while the person is at rest. This is a nuclear scan given while the person is at rest or after exercise that may reveal areas of the heart muscle that are not getting enough blood. Computerized tomography or CT. You can learn more about the effects of plaque throughout the cardiovascular system by visiting our sections on coronary artery disease , carotid artery disease , peripheral artery disease and kidney renal artery disease.

Find an Interventional Cardiologist. Heart Condition Centers. What Is Arterial Plaque? What Is Plaque Made Of? What Causes Plaque in Arteries? Is All Plaque Dangerous? 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 Can Plaque Build-Up in the Arteries Be Stopped?

Learn More You can learn more about the effects of plaque throughout the cardiovascular system by visiting our sections on coronary artery disease , carotid artery disease , peripheral artery disease and kidney renal artery disease. Heart News 1 2 3 4 5 Next ».

What Causes Atrial Fibrillation? View All News. Atherosclerosis is a slow, lifelong progression of changes in the blood vessels that may start in childhood and get worse faster as you age.

Four possible causes of such damage are:. Smoking makes fatty deposits more likely to form, and it accelerates the growth of plaque. Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisers. See our editorial policies and staff. About Cholesterol. Causes of High Cholesterol.

Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol.