Atherosclerosis Whakangako ia-tuku

Atherosclerosis is a build up of plaque made up of fats, cholesterol and other materials in your artery walls. This causes the artery to narrow and reduces the blood flow and oxygen going to your organs other parts of your body. It can lead to a range of serious complications.


Causes of atherosclerosis

The causes of atherosclerosis may include:

  • high LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in your blood
  • smoking
  • high blood pressure
  • diabetes
  • being very overweight.

Cholesterol

High triglycerides

 

Illustration showing a normal artery with blood flowing and a partially blocked artery with less blood flow.


Symptoms of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis usually does not cause symptoms until an artery is very narrow or blocked, and is causing complications. Many people do not know they have plaque buildup until they have a medical emergency like a heart attack or stroke.

This means symptoms of atherosclerosis can vary widely depending on the complication it is causing. 

Talk to you healthcare provider if you notice you have:

  • leg cramps when walking
  • chest discomfort during exercise or at times of high stress
  • shortness of breath with light activity.

Complications of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis can lead to a range of complications depending on which arteries are affected.

Coronary artery disease

Coronary artery disease is atherosclerosis in the arteries that supply blood to your heart. It can lead to angina or a heart attack.

Angina

Heart attack

Cerebrovascular disease

Cerebrovascular disease is atherosclerosis in the arteries that supply blood to your brain. It can cause a transient ischaemic attack (TIA or mini stroke) or a stroke.

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA)

Stroke

Peripheral vascular disease

Peripheral vascular disease is atherosclerosis in the arteries in your arms and legs — your peripheral arteries.

Peripheral vascular disease

Chronic kidney disease

Atherosclerosis in the arteries that supply blood to your kidneys can lead to chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease


Diagnosing atherosclerosis

To diagnose atherosclerosis, your healthcare provider will ask you questions about:

  • your health
  • your family's health
  • your symptoms, if you have any.

They will also arrange blood tests to check your cholesterol and blood glucose (sugar) levels.

Your healthcare provider may also refer you to a vascular surgeon (a surgical doctor who specialises in blood vessels). The vascular specialist might arrange tests like:

  • an echocardiogram
  • a CT scan
  • an ankle-brachial index (for peripheral vascular disease)
  • a doppler ultrasound
  • an angiogram.

Tests for blood vessel problems

Tests for heart problems


Treating atherosclerosis

Treatment options for atherosclerosis include medication and surgery.

Medication

Your healthcare provider might prescribe medicines to:

  • lower cholesterol
  • control your blood pressure
  • control your blood glucose (sugar) if you have diabetes
  • reduce clotting (medicines such as aspirin or clopidogrel).

Surgery

There are several types of surgery.

  • Angioplasty — the surgeon inflates a tiny balloon in your artery causing it to widen, and possibly fits a stent (a small plastic or metal tube) to keep your artery open
  • Arterial bypass — the surgeon redirects the blood flow around the blockage. The surgeon often uses a plastic tube for the bypass but sometimes they use a length of your own vein.
  • Atherectomy — the surgeon uses a small tube called a catheter to insert a small cutting device into the blocked artery. They then use the cutting device to shave or cut off the plaque from the affected area in your blood vessel.

Preventing atherosclerosis

You cannot control all risk factors for atherosclerosis, but lifestyle and other changes can help you lower some risks. This means:

It is particularly important to stop smoking and lower your cholesterol to reduce your risk of atherosclerosis.