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What Causes Artery Plaque?

Coronary heart disease is a term used to describe many heart-related conditions. One of these is blocked arteries, a condition where the walls of an artery have become blocked with plaque. There are various causes of artery plaque buildup and ways to prevent the condition.

  1. What is Artery Plaque?

    • Artery plaque is made up of several substances found in the blood, including fat, cholesterol, cellular waste, fibrin and calcium. These materials build up along the artery walls to form the plaque. Plaque narrows the arteries and can eventually block them.

    Artery Plaque Causes

    • According to the Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, plaque buildup in the arteries begins with damage to the arteries. Factors such as high blood pressure, smoking, high amounts of certain fats, cholesterol and sugar in the blood can damage the walls of the arteries.
      To repair the damage, fatty tissues are released to help begin the repair process. In response to the buildup along the walls, the arteries can secrete more substances to add to the plaque buildup, further clogging the artery.

    Effects

    • There are several dangers associated with plaque buildup in the arteries. Plaque in the arteries carrying blood to the heart can lead to narrow and eventually block the arteries, leading to heart attacks and stroke.
      If plaque builds up in the carotid arteries, which supply the brain, blood flow to the brain can be reduced and lead to stroke.
      A third condition caused by plaque in the arteries is peripheral artery disease. When blood vessels in the legs become restricted or blocked, you can experience pain, numbness or infections in your legs and feet.

    Symptoms of Plaque Buildup

    • You may not know your arteries are blocked are clogged with plaque until a major health issues occur, such as heart attack or stroke. Watch for the symptoms.
      Shortness of breath, chest pains, nausea, dizziness and heart palpitations can be signs of coronary heart disease. Clogged carotid arteries can produce symptoms such as weakness or numbness on one side of the body, slurring of words, loss of sight in one eye or even the inability to move an arm or a leg.
      Plaque buildup in peripheral arteries can be characterized by pain in a leg, slow healing of injuries to the feet, gangrene and cold feet.

    Prevention/Solution

    • Lifestyle changes can be the best way to avoid artery plaque or to keep more from occurring. This includes exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet low in saturated fats and cholesterol, maintaining a healthy body weight and avoiding stress.
      In some cases, medication may be necessary to help lower cholesterol and lower blood pressure. Aspirin and other blood thinning drugs may also be used to reduce blood clot formation.
      Surgical procedures may be needed to clear blocked arteries. Stent placement, bypass surgery or balloon angioplasty may be necessary to prevent a heart attack or stroke.

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