Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition where fatty deposits called plaques build up inside the walls of your arteries — the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Over time, these plaques harden and narrow the arteries, reducing blood flow to vital organs and tissues.

Think of it like a pipe in your home gradually accumulating mineral deposits on its inner walls. At first the buildup is minor and causes no problems, but over years or decades the opening gets narrower and narrower, restricting the flow of water. In your body, this restricted blood flow means your heart, brain, kidneys, and other organs may not get the oxygen and nutrients they need to function properly.

Atherosclerosis is the underlying cause of most heart attacks and strokes. It develops silently over many years — often starting in adolescence — and typically produces no symptoms until an artery is severely narrowed or a plaque ruptures and triggers a blood clot. This is why cardiovascular screening and risk factor management are so important even in people who feel perfectly healthy.

Atherosclerosis is the root cause of coronary artery disease (which leads to heart attacks), carotid artery disease (which leads to strokes), and peripheral artery disease (which affects blood flow to the legs). If you have been told you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or are at risk for heart disease, understanding atherosclerosis helps you understand why your doctor recommends specific medications, dietary changes, and monitoring.

Early detection through cholesterol screening and cardiac risk assessments allows for intervention before atherosclerosis becomes severe enough to cause a cardiovascular event. Managing modifiable risk factors is the most effective strategy for preventing atherosclerosis-related disease.