Clogged Arteries (Arterial Plaque)
are
vessels that carry
rich in oxygen throughout your body. They go to your
as well as to the tips of your toes. Healthy arteries have smooth inner walls and blood flows through them easily. Some people, however, develop
. Clogged arteries result from a buildup of a substance called plaque on the inner walls of the arteries. Arterial plaque can reduce blood flow or, in some instances, block it altogether.Clogged arteries greatly increase the likelihood of
, stroke, and even death. Because of these dangers, it is important to be aware, no matter how old you are, of the causes of artery plaque and treatment strategies to prevent serious consequences.
Plaque that accumulates on the inner walls of your arteries is made from various substances that circulate in your blood. These include
, fat, cholesterol, cellular waste, and fibrin, a material involved in blood clotting. In response to plaque buildup, cells in your artery walls multiply and secrete additional substances that can worsen the state of clogged arteries.
As plaque deposits grow, a condition called
results. This condition causes the arteries to narrow and harden.
Although experts don’t know for sure what starts atherosclerosis, the process seems to stem from damage to the lining of the arterial wall. This damage, which enables the deposition of plaque, may result from:
High ''bad'' cholesterol and low ''good''
. High levels of ''bad'' cholesterol, or low-density lipoprotein (
), are major contributors to arterial plaque formation. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. Everyone also has ''good'' cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein (
), circulating in the blood. HDL is believed to remove some of the bad cholesterol from plaque in clogged arteries and transport it back to the
, where it is eliminated.
High blood pressure. Having
increases the rate at which arterial plaque builds up. It also hastens the hardening of clogged arteries.
Cigarette smoke. Cigarette smoke seems to increase the rate of atherosclerosis in the arteries of the
, legs, and the
-- the largest artery in the body.
Diabetes, or elevated circulating blood sugar, is also a major culprit. Even people who have elevated sugars, not yet at the level of
, such as seen in metabolic syndrome, also have an increased risk of plaque formation.
Other risk factors include family history, stress, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity. Knowing your family history is critical.
Plaque often starts to develop during childhood or teenage years. Then, clogged arteries develop in middle age or later.
It depends on where arterial plaque accumulates. Clogged arteries in different parts of the body can lead to multiple medical conditions, including:
. When plaque accumulates in the arteries carrying blood to the
, it results in coronary artery disease, or heart disease. Coronary artery disease can cause
or shortness of breath. This condition can lead to heart attack and is the leading cause of death in the United States.
. The carotid arteries run up either side of your neck. They supply oxygen to your brain. The accumulation of arterial plaque in the carotid arteries can lead to stroke.
. If plaque builds up in the blood vessels that carry blood to your legs, it can reduce the amount of oxygen delivered. The reduced blood flow can cause you to experience pain, numbness, or serious infection in your legs and feet.
In many instances, clogged arteries do not cause any symptoms until a major event, such as a heart attack or
, occurs.
At other times, especially when the artery is blocked by 70% or more, the buildup of arterial plaque may cause symptoms that include:
Chest pain
Shortness of breath
Weakness or
The first symptom, chest pain, is also called
. It may result from reduced blood flow to the heart. That reduced blood flow is caused by plaque in the arteries leading to the heart.
Clogged arteries in carotid artery disease may cause stroke precursors known as transient ischemic attacks, or TIAs. TIAs may produce the following symptoms:
Sensation of weakness or numbness on one side of your body
Inability to move an arm or a leg
Loss of vision on one or both sides
Slurring of words
Clogged arteries in peripheral artery disease may cause:
Severe headache with no apparent cause
Delayed healing of injuries to the feet
Cold feet
Yes. There are several tests for clogged arteries. Your doctor will determine which tests to prescribe based on your symptoms and medical history. The tests may include:
Cholesterol screening
Chest X-ray
CT scan
Echocardiogram and/or cardiac
Electrocardiogram
MRI or PET scanning
Angiogram
There are a variety of prevention and treatment options for clogged arteries. What your doctor prescribes to reduce arterial plaque and prevent clogged arteries will depend on the severity of your condition and your medical history. Your doctor may prescribe one or more of the following:
1. Lifestyle changes. A healthy lifestyle is essential for the management of arterial plaque and treatment of clogged arteries. This includes:
Eating a
low in saturated fats and cholesterol, with less sugars and simple carbohydrates, and rich in fruits and vegetables
Maintaining a healthy body weight
Not smoking
Exercising regularly
Managing stress levels
Keeping blood pressure and cholesterol down
Maintaining low blood sugars
2. Surgical or interventional procedures. In some instances, surgery may be necessary to treat clogged arteries and prevent additional arterial plaque accumulation. These procedures may include:
Stent placement. A small tube called a
, which may contain medication, can be placed in an artery to maintain adequate blood flow. A catheter is used through the artery of the leg to reach the heart, and a stent is put in place through the catheter in the area of the blockage.
Bypass surgery. In this operation, arteries from other parts of the body are moved to bypass clogged arteries and help oxygen-rich blood reach its target destination.
This procedure helps open clogged arteries that have become partially or fully blocked by opening up the blockage with a device that pushes the plaque to the side walls of the arteries.
3. Medications. A number of medications may help control some of the factors that contribute to the accumulation of arterial plaque. These include:
Cholesterol-lowering drugs
Blood pressure-lowering drugs
Aspirin and other blood-thinning drugs, which reduce the likelihood of dangerous blood clot formation