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Plaque buildup can start early in life.
About Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis (pronounced ath-uh-roh-skluh-roh-sis) is the progressive buildup
of plaque — fatty deposits and other cells — in the walls of your arteries. Its name comes
from the Greek words athero (meaning gruel or paste) and sclerosis (hardness).
One surprising fact about atherosclerosis, or athero as we call it, is how early the disease can begin inside us. For many, the process may start in early adulthood. As you get older, plaque can build up and may eventually clog your arteries, making them stiff and inflexible.
The Consequences of Atherosclerosis
The consequences of athero can be severe and far-reaching. Clogged arteries can slow or cut off the flow of blood to the brain and heart and can lead to a heart attack or stroke. While athero is primarily a disease of medium and large arteries, in other arteries athero can cause other conditions, like peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and even erectile dysfunction.
Consider the following facts about how athero has affected us as a nation.
- Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of coronary heart disease and stroke, which were responsible for more than 589,000 deaths in 2005 — almost 25% of all deaths in the United States
- Each year more than 1.2 million will suffer a coronary attack and almost 800,000 people will suffer a stroke
- About 8 million Americans are affected by peripheral arterial disease
- For many, athero is a silent disease, with no visible signs or symptoms until it suddenly leads to a heart attack or stroke
Stable and Unstable Plaque
Because plaque tends to build up slowly in the arteries, athero usually has no symptoms until the artery becomes severely narrowed or completely blocked. There are two types of plaque that can form in the artery walls.
- Stable plaque has a thick fibrous cap made of smooth muscle cells with a lipid core. As plaque grows, it can reduce blood flow to the brain, heart, or other parts of the body
- Unstable plaque is much more dangerous because it has a thin cap. As a result, it may rupture, causing an acute, life-threatening heart attack
Whether the plaque in your arteries is stable or unstable, all plaque contains a lipid core — fatty deposits made of cholesterol and other cells. Learn how cholesterol can fuel the progression of athero.
Want to get even smarter about your arteries? Download Athero Basics 
(PDF - 394k) 
, or browse through our collection of other downloadable educational materials.
