What Is Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is often mistaken as Arteriosclerosis whereas it is a specific type of arteriosclerosis. The condition happens when plaque, cholesterol, and fatty substances build up in your arteries and cause them to narrow. This buildup can lead to an artery blockage that disrupts blood flow.
Atherosclerosis is a slow and gradual disease, but it can worsen quickly. Risk factors for the condition include:
- Family history of early heart disease
- Obesity [5]
- Eating a diet high in saturated fat
- Lack of exercise
- Type 1 diabetes
- Smoking
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
If atherosclerosis affects the arteries that supply blood to your heart, the condition might lead to coronary artery disease. Here, the plaque in the coronary artery causes your blood to clot. These clots block the blood supply to your heart muscles, leading to weakening of the heart and finally heart failure over time.
What Are the Signs of Atherosclerosis?
Like every other type of arteriosclerosis, lots of people may not know they have atherosclerosis until they have a heart attack. You might have some signs like:
- Angina — or chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Tiredness
- Weakness
- Lightheadedness
These symptoms together with other complications like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or high amount of fat in your blood could mean that you have atherosclerosis. Your doctor might suggest you undergo testing.