Artery Plaque Disease

Artery plaque, in its more serious cases, can result in stroke, heart attack, and amputation. A few changes in lifestyle can reduce the possibility of suffering from this potentially fatal affliction.

Identification

• Arterial vascular disease is the more precise medical term for what may be referred to as "artery plaque disease." This occurs when a buildup of fatty deposits, called plaque, hardens and clogs the arteries.

Process

• This blockage restricts the blood flow and oxygen necessary for healthy function of various parts of the body. It is called carotid arterial disease when the blockage occurs in the neck, coronary arterial disease when it affects the heart, and peripheral arterial disease when arms and legs are affected.

Concerns

• Blocked carotid arteries may lead to stroke as the brain doesn't receive sufficient blood and oxygen. Heart attack and coronary disease are typical results when arteries supplying the heart are clogged. Plaque buildup in arteries in the legs cause difficulty in walking and, in extreme cases, gangrene and amputation.

Risk Factors

• Smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and lack of exercise increase the risk of developing vascular arterial disease.

Treatment

• Aspirin therapy is frequent treatment as are surgical procedures designed to clear blocked arteries. Lifestyle changes, including a diet that limits cholesterol, is important. "Medications used for lowering blood cholesterol have been effective in preventing the progression of atherosclerosis" (the medical term for plaque buildup,) says the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.