Key Risk Factors

Atherosclerosis, the buildup of plaque in the arteries, is a progressive disease, meaning that it tends to get worse as we age. However, there are a number of risk factors, like high cholesterol, that can speed up the progression of the disease.

The good news is that some of the risk factors, such as cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, can be managed. Review the list below to see if any of these risk factors put you at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke, two frequent consequences of atherosclerosis. If you have one or more of these factors, talk with your doctor about what you can do to reduce your risk.

What You Can Control

Too much LDL (bad) cholesterol in your blood can cause a build up of cholesterol in the walls of your arteries and form plaque. Eating a healthy diet and living an active lifestyle can help keep cholesterol in check, but some people may require cholesterol-lowering medications. Learn more about atherosclerosis and the cholesterol connection.

If your blood pressure is over 120/80 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) and changes in your diet and exercise haven’t helped reduce your blood pressure, you may need medication. High blood pressure is dangerous because it produces increased pressure on artery walls and can damage them, which can speed up the progression of athero. Controlling your blood pressure is especially important if you have other risk factors, such as diabetes or kidney disease.

Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not properly convert sugar, starches, and other foods into energy. It can cause damage to the lining of the arteries, making it easier for LDL cholesterol to collect in the damaged blood vessels.

If you’re overweight or obese, your chance of developing atherosclerosis dramatically increases because you're also more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes compared to those at a normal weight. Each of these risk factors can play a role in the progression of atherosclerosis.

Smoking tobacco can damage the cells that line your arteries and raise your blood pressure, both of which can contribute to the progression of atherosclerosis. Even secondhand smoke may affect the cells that line your arteries. If you smoke, it’s essential to try to quit. Ask your doctor to suggest a program that could help.

What You Cannot Control

Because atherosclerosis is a disease that progresses over time, age is considered a risk factor. Simply put, the older you get, the more likely it is that plaque is building up in your arteries, which puts you at an increased risk for the consequences of athero.

Family history is defined as a risk factor for those who have a family history of early heart disease — a father or brother who has been diagnosed with heart disease before the age of 55 or a mother or sister before the age of 65.

While age and family history are two factors that you cannot control, you can make sure you are doing more to manage the risk factors you can control. By making a pledge to start managing your risk factors, you can make every day that follows count even more.

Working with Your Doctor

If you have one or more of the risk factors above, the first step you should take is to talk with your doctor. He or she can help you chart your risks, and together you can plan what steps you may need to take to start taking care of your arteries.

In the meantime, find out what you can do to reduce the risks for coronary heart disease, stroke, and other conditions related to athero.