Atherosclerosis

Clinic

• Atherosclerosis is a pattern of the disease arteriosclerosis in which the wall of the artery develops abnormalities, called lesions. These lesions may lead to narrowing due to the buildup of atheromatous plaque.
• At onset there are usually no symptoms, but if they develop, symptoms generally begin around middle age.
• When severe, it can result in coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, or kidney problems, depending on which arteries are affected.

Cause

• The exact cause is not known and is proposed to be multifactorial.
• Risk factors include
  • Abnormal cholesterol levels,
  • Elevated levels of inflammatory markers,
  • High blood pressure,
  • Diabetes,
  • Smoking,
  • Obesity, family history, genetic, and an unhealthy diet. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. The narrowing of arteries limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to parts of the body. Diagnosis is based upon a physical exam, electrocardiogram, and exercise stress test, among others.