A cell layer called the endothelium pronounced en-do-THEE-lee-um; Greek for "inner layer" lines the artery walls and serves as a protective barrier between the blood stream and artery walls. According to research, when the protective endothelium becomes damaged, plaques are allowed to cling to the exposed artery wall. Attempting to heal the damage, the artery wall may release sticky chemicals that, unfortunately, encourage further artery-clogging plaque buildup.
Plaque deposits are hard on the outside and mushy on the inside. Marks AR. Cardiac and circulatory function. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. Final recommendation statement: statin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults: preventive medication.
Updated November 13, Accessed January 28, Updated by: Michael A. Editorial team. Atherosclerosis is a common disorder. Watch this video about: Atherosclerosis. Exams and Tests. Screening should begin between ages 20 to 35 for men and ages 20 to 45 for women. Repeat testing is not needed for five years for most adults with normal cholesterol levels.
Repeat testing may be needed if lifestyle changes occur, such as large increase in weight or a change in diet. More frequent testing is needed for adults with a history of high cholesterol, diabetes, kidney problems, heart disease, stroke, and other conditions A number of imaging tests may be used to see how well blood moves through your arteries.
Doppler tests that use ultrasound or sound waves Magnetic resonance arteriography MRA , a special type of MRI scan Special CT scans called CT angiography Arteriograms or angiography that use x-rays and contrast material sometimes called "dye" to see the path of blood flow inside the arteries.
Lifestyle changes will reduce your risk of atherosclerosis. Things you can do include: Quit smoking : This is the single most important change you can make to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Avoid fatty foods: Eat well-balanced meals that are low in fat and cholesterol.
Include several daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.
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It looks like your browser does not have JavaScript enabled. Please turn on JavaScript and try again. There are no quick fixes for melting away plaque, but people can make key lifestyle changes to stop more of it accumulating and to improve their heart health.
In serious cases, medical procedures or surgery can help to remove blockages from within the arteries. A doctor may also prescribe medication, such as aspirin , or cholesterol-reducing drugs, such as statins.
Plaque is a mixture of fat, calcium , cholesterol , and waste from the cells in the body. This mix can stick to the walls of the arteries, making these blood vessels narrower. When this happens, it is called atherosclerosis. Clogged or blocked arteries can stop fresh blood from reaching parts of the body, which can put a person at risk of a heart attack , heart failure , or stroke. In many cases, people can prevent a plaque buildup and atherosclerosis. Some medical treatments are available to help clear the arteries, but they are invasive.
The best treatment is usually prevention, as removing plaque is much more difficult than preventing it from occurring. Eating a heart-healthful diet and regularly exercising can be powerful tools for preventing clogged arteries.
These disciplines also make a person feel better as time goes on. The type of fat a person eats can affect plaque in the arteries.
This is because these kinds of fats contain high levels of LDL cholesterol, which is the main material of plaque in the arteries. Along with trans fats, saturated fats may also affect heart health, though the evidence for this is mixed.
Saturated fats are mostly found in animal products, such as beef, pork, and dairy, but also in coconut oil and palm oil. One review of scientific studies found there was a small but possibly important reduction in the risk of cardiovascular issues when people cut down on saturated fats and replaced them with unsaturated fats. Another review study suggests that people should avoid saturated fats because they increase LDL cholesterol in the body, which is a direct cause of heart issues.
Unsaturated fats are the good fats. They contain HDL cholesterol, which can help to take bad cholesterol from the arteries before it turns into plaque. According to the AHA, unsaturated fats may help improve blood cholesterol when eaten instead of trans or saturated fats.
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