However, the number of people diagnosed with atherosclerosis remains high. Improved treatments have helped reduce deaths from atherosclerosis-related diseases.These steps include making lifestyle changes and/or taking medicines as prescribed by your doctor. Taking steps to control your risk factors can help prevent or delay atherosclerosis and its related diseases.Lifestyle changes include following a healthy eating plan, increasing physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and reducing stress. Treatments for atherosclerosis may include lifestyle changes, medicines, and medical procedures and surgery.Your doctor will diagnose atherosclerosis based on your medical and family histories, your risk factors, and the results of a physical exam and diagnostic tests.Other signs and symptoms depend on which arteries are narrowed or blocked. Many people don't know they have the disease until they have a medical emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke. Atherosclerosis usually doesn't cause signs and symptoms until it severely narrows or totally blocks an artery.Major risk factors include unhealthy cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, smoking, insulin resistance, diabetes, overweight or obesity, lack of physical activity, age, and a family history of early heart disease. Many factors raise your risk for atherosclerosis.This can worsen angina (chest pain) or cause a heart attack. Over time, the plaque may crack and causes blood clots to form in the arteries. This healing causes plaque to build up where the arteries are damaged. When damage occurs, your body starts a healing process. It may start when certain factors damage the inner layers of arteries. The exact cause of atherosclerosis isn’t known.Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when plaque builds up in the major arteries of the legs, arms, and pelvis.Carotid artery disease happens when plaque builds up in the carotid arteries (the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to your brain).CAD is a leading cause of death in the United States. Coronary artery disease (CAD) occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary (heart) arteries.Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in the body.This can lead to serious problems, including heart attack, stroke, or even death. The flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body is reduced. Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries.Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up on the insides of your arteries.Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood.
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