Atherosclerosis

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Angina	Atherosclerosis	Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the left artery	Carotid stenosis, X-ray of the right artery
Cholesterol producers	Coronary artery balloon angioplasty - series	Developmental process of atherosclerosis	Enlarged view of atherosclerosis
Prevention of heart disease

Arteriosclerosis; Hardening of the arteries; Plaque buildup - arteries

Symptoms usually do not occur until blood flow becomes slowed or blocked. If this happens, you may have chest pain or leg pain, depending on which artery is involved. Sometimes symptoms occur only with activity.

A health care provider will perform a physical exam and listen to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. Early atherosclerosis can create a whooshing or blowing sound ("bruit") over an artery.

Tests that may be used to diagnose atherosclerosis (or complications) include:

• Ankle/brachial index (ABI)
• Doppler study
• Ultrasonic duplex scanning
• CT scan
• Magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA)
• Arteriography
• Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
• Cardiac stress testing

Review Date: 02/23/2007
Reviewed By: Larry A. Weinrauch, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and Private practice specializing in Cardiovascular Disease, Watertown, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.