Atherosclerosis What Is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a common disease that develops when a sticky plaque called plaque builds up in your arteries . Diseases linked to atherosclerosis are the leading cause of death in the United States and the world.

Atherosclerosis develops slowly as cholesterol , fat, blood cells, and other substances in your blood form plaque in the walls of arteries. As plaque builds up, your arteries narrow. This reduces the supply of oxygen-rich blood to tissues and organs in the body.

A decrease in blood flow can lead to symptoms like angina. If a plaque bursts, blood clots may form and block the artery or travel to other parts of the body. Full or partial blockages can cause heart attack, stroke, vascular dementia, erectile dysfunction, heart failure, or limb loss. Atherosclerosis can cause disability and death.

Atherosclerosis diagram. — Normal artery and an artery narrowed by plaque buildup.

Atherosclerosis can affect almost any artery in the body, including ones in the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis, and kidneys. Atherosclerosis has a different name depending on the arteries that are affected:

Carotid artery disease is plaque buildup in the neck arteries. It reduces blood flow to the brain.
Coronary artery disease (CAD) is plaque buildup in the arteries of your heart.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) most often is plaque buildup in the arteries of the legs, but it can also build up in your arms or pelvis.
Renal artery stenosis is plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to your kidneys.
Vertebral artery disease is atherosclerosis in the arteries that supply blood to the back of the brain. This area of the brain controls body functions that are needed to keep you alive. Read more about disorders affecting blood supply to the back of the brain.
Mesenteric artery ischemia is plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the intestines.

Confused about terms?

Atherosclerosis is not the same as arteriosclerosis, which refers to "hardening of the arteries" or when arteries thicken and lose flexibility. Arteriosclerosis has several different causes. Atherosclerosis, caused by fatty plaque buildup, is a common type of arteriosclerosis.

Plaque often starts to form during childhood and gets worse with age. Risk factors include high blood cholesterol, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and your genes .

The good news is that most people can prevent or delay atherosclerosis from developing by following steps for heart-healthy living. The best way to ensure heart health is to prevent risk factors in the first place. Sometimes atherosclerosis can be reversed through healthy lifestyle changes and medicines.