Atherosclerosis Introduction & Types

Atherosclerosis or Arteriosclerosis is a slow and progressive building up of plaque, fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and fibrin in the inner lining of an artery. This building up of plaque may lead to thickening and hardening of the arteries, subsequently blocking the blood flow either partially or totally in an artery. (1)

Atherosclerosis can affect arteries in the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis and intestines leading to diseases of those organs. There are four main types of Atherosclerosis which include:

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): When plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, supply of oxygen rich blood to the heart is reduced leading to chest pain and ultimately a heart attack.

Carotid Artery Disease or Cerebrovascular Disease: When plaque builds up in the carotid arteries, the supply of oxygen rich blood to the brain is reduced leading to a stroke.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): When plaque builds up in the arteries supplying blood to the leg, arms and pelvis, the oxygen rich blood supply to these parts is restricted leading to numbness, pain and dangerous infections. (2)

Abdominal Angina and Bowel Infarction: Atherosclerosis leads to narrowing of the arteries supplying blood to the intestines causing abdominal pain and is called abdominal angina. Complete or sudden blockage of blood supply to the intestines leads to bowel infarction.

In severe cases, atherosclerosis could also lead to narrowing of the arteries of the kidney, leading to renal artery stenosis (3).

Millions of Americans are diagnosed to be suffering from Atherosclerosis and millions more have the disease but are unaware it. Atherosclerosis accounts for about 75 percent of all deaths from cardiovascular disease. Men, African-Americans, and all individuals over 65 years of age have the highest risk of developing advanced atherosclerosis. (4)

Conditions & Diseases: Cardiovascular System

Atherosclerosis