1. Plaque is generally something that we associate with not brushing our teeth enough, but our mouths are not the only place where plaque can become a problem. Plaque can also build up in your arteries, causing a disease known as atherosclerosis.
2. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, and calcium, as well as other substances found in your blood. Over time, it can harden, narrowing your arteries and restricting blood flow. Serious problems can result from this, including heart attack, stroke, and even death.
3. Different diseases are associated with atherosclerosis. Any artery in your body can become blocked with plaque, affecting various areas of your body. The main diseases linked to atherosclerosis include coronary heart disease, carotid artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and chronic kidney disease.
4. Coronary heart disease is the number one killer for men and women in the United States and is caused by plaque buildup in your coronary arteries. This reduces the flow of blood to your heart. Chest pain (known as angina) is an early warning sign of coronary heart disease. The plaque buildup can also cause a heart attack.
5. Your carotid arteries are the arteries that run up either side of your neck paired with the jugular veins. If your carotid arteries are affected by atherosclerosis (carotid artery disease) then blood cannot reach your brain properly. If the blood flow is reduced too much, it may trigger a stroke.
6. Peripheral artery disease affects the arteries that carry blood out to your arms, legs, and pelvis. If these arteries become blocked with plaque, it can cause numbness and pain. The numbness is actually more dangerous because it can prevent you from feeling symptoms of other problems that need to be treated.
7. The final disease most commonly associated with atherosclerosis is chronic kidney disease. This occurs when plaque builds up in your renal arteries. This often leads to a slower failure of kidney function. As your kidneys’ main job is to remove waste from the body, their loss can lead to a host of other problems including weakness, lethargy, confusion, and abnormal heart rhythms.
8. The exact cause of atherosclerosis isn’t known. There are, however, several factors that increase your chances of developing atherosclerosis. Family history plays a part, as does age. Neither of these things, obviously, are within your control. Other factors, however, can be changed. These include a lack of physical activity, smoking, and an unhealthy diet.
9. Atherosclerosis is often not diagnosed until more serious problems occur, such as a heart attack or stroke. There are medical procedures that can be done to clean the plaque out of your arteries, but something needs to be done in order to prevent the condition from recurring. Medicines are available to treat atherosclerosis, but the most common treatment is a lifestyle change. More exercise and healthier eating can very effectively treat the problem, as can quitting smoking.
10. If you make these lifestyle changes now, you can delay or even prevent the buildup of plaque. Physical activity and an improved diet both come with many health benefits, and stopping atherosclerosis is one of them.