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What Causes Plaque Buildup?

The accumulation of plaque in your body's arteries -- a condition known as atherosclerosis -- is a leading cause of death and illness in the U.S., according to the "Merck Manual Home Health Handbook." While the condition progresses slowly over time to restrict blood flow to your organs and tissues, knowing the risk factors and what lifestyle changes you can make may help prevent serious medical complications and even death.

  1. About Plaque

    • Plaque contains cholesterol, fat, calcium and other substances found in the body. Over time, plaque builds up in and along the walls of the arteries, narrowing the blood vessels and restricting or stopping blood flow to the heart and other organs. When pieces of plaque become dislodged and block blood vessels in the heart, brain or lungs, a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs) occurs. Plaque accumulation may also weaken artery walls and cause an aneurysm, or bulge in an artery wall, that, when ruptures, can be life-threatening.

    High Blood Pressure

    • An estimated 65 million Americans have high blood pressure and only 70 percent have been diagnosed with the condition, according to the "Merck Manual Home Health Handbook." High blood pressure at or above 140/90 millimeters of mercury, or mmHg, can cause plaque to accumulate in artery walls, leading to stroke or heart attack.

    High Cholesterol

    • High levels of cholesterol -- a waxy substance found in your blood responsible for helping to form cell membranes, some hormones, and brain and nerve cells -- can lead to narrowing of your arteries. In particular, low-density lipoprotein or LDL (bad cholesterol) can build up in your arteries while high-density lipoprotein or HDL (good cholesterol) decreases the risk of hardening of your arteries. LDL cholesterol levels should stay below 130 to 160 mg/dL or below 100 mg/dL if you have diabetes, heart disease or have had a heart attack or stroke, MedlinePlus notes. If total cholesterol levels near 300 mg/dL, the risk of a heart attack more than doubles, according to the "Merck Manual Home Health Handbook."

    Smoking

    • Tobacco releases high levels of carbon monoxide into the blood, raising the risk of injury to the lining of your artery walls and accelerating plaque buildup. If your arteries are already narrowed, tobacco may cause the blood vessels to constrict, further reducing blood flow to your tissues. Tobacco also lowers your HDL cholesterol levels and can increase blood clotting to cause heart disease or stroke.

    Diet and Inactivity

    • A diet high in saturated and trans fat, found in foods such as red meat, cheese, butter and cream, are linked to an increase in plaque buildup in your arteries. Research suggests a healthy diet, low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, and containing fruit and vegetables and whole grains may reduce your risk of plaque accumulation.

      Physical inactivity can boost the likelihood of developing atherosclerosis. Regular exercise -- at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week -- helps lower high cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels, which lead to plaque buildup.

    Diabetes

    • People with diabetes, especially women, have a two to six times higher risk of developing atherosclerosis, according to the "Merck Manual Home Health Handbook." These individuals tend to develop the condition to a greater degree and at an earlier age than those who don't have diabetes.

    Obesity

    • Obesity increases the risk of plaque accumulation in the arteries that supply blood to your heart. Abdominal obesity also leads to high blood pressure, cholesterol and Type 2 diabetes, leading risk factors for atherosclerosis. Losing just 5 to 10 lbs. can lower your risk by reducing high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

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