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

A low-fat diet, weight loss, and exercise are usually suggested. Medications may be also recommended to reduce fats and cholesterol in your blood. It is important to keep blood pressure under control.

There are many different medicines used to treat atherosclerosis. Blood thinners may be given to prevent clot formation.

Balloon angioplasty uses a balloon-tipped catheter to flatten plaque and increase the blood flow past the deposits. The technique is used to open the arteries to the heart and parts of the body.

Another widely used technique is stenting, which involves placing a small metal device inside the artery to keep the artery open. Stenting is usually done following angioplasty.

Surgically removing deposits (endarterectomy) may be recommended in some cases. A bypass graft is the most invasive procedure. It uses a normal artery or vein from the patient to create a bridge that bypasses the blocked section of the artery.

Everyone starts to develop some amount of atherosclerosis as they grow older. In some people, the condition can cause complications such as a heart attack or stroke.

• Coronary artery disease
• Heart attack
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
• Stroke
• Too little blood to the legs and feet
• Damage to organs (such as the kidneys, brain, liver, and intestines)

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are at risk for atherosclerosis, especially if symptoms occur.

Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise plan, especially if you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease or if you have ever had a heart attack.

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.