Atherosclerosis
Overview
Atherosclerosis is where your arteries become narrowed, making it difficult for blood to flow through them. It increases your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Symptoms
You may not have any symptoms of atherosclerosis, but symptoms can include: chest painpain in your arms and legs, especially when exercisingfeeling short of breathfeeling tired all the timefeeling weakfeeling confused
Causes
Atherosclerosis happens when fatty deposits build up in the arteries, which causes them to narrow. Things that increase your chances of getting atherosclerosis include: being over 65 years of agesmokinghavinghigh cholesterolhavinghigh blood pressurehaving close relatives who havecardiovascular disease
Treatment
There are currently no treatments to reverse atherosclerosis, but you may be offered medicines to lower your risk of having a heart attack or a stroke. You may need medicines to: lower your cholesterol (statins)lower your blood pressurelower your risk of blood clotslower your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes You may also need surgery to help improve blood flow through the affected arteries.