Understanding the Basics of Arterial Plaque Buildup

What is Arterial Plaque Build Up?

Arterial plaque buildup, also known as atherosclerosis, occurs when fats, cholesterol, and calcium deposits stick to and build up on the inner walls of arteries, potentially blocking blood flow over time. Buildup leads to a narrowing of the arteries, and the signs of atherosclerosis depend upon the severity of arterial plaque buildup and where the buildup occurs in the body.

Symptoms of Plaque Buildup and Disease in the Heart and Brain

For example, severe plaque in heart arteries could lead to chest pains and intense pressure, mimicking the symptoms of a heart attack. Sudden numbness or weakness in arms and legs, difficulty speaking, and loss of vision could mean blockages in brain arteries, mimicking the signs of a stroke or transient ischemic attack.

Symptoms of Arterial Plaque Buildup in Limbs and Organs

Buildups that block blood flow in the arteries of arms and legs will cause decreased blood pressure to limbs, resulting in extreme, targeted pain or complete numbness. If the same kind of buildup occurs in kidney arteries, the biggest warning sign will be high blood pressure, often followed by symptoms of kidney failure, frequent urination, fatigue, anemia, and blood in the urine.

Managing and Treating Arterial Plaque Buildup

Arterial plaque buildup is a serious condition that affects most people at some point in their lives. Most cases are mild and easily managed with lifestyle changes, such as healthy, nutritious diets, regular exercise, and management of pre-existing conditions, like diabetes and blood pressure problems. Severe cases of atherosclerosis can result in heart attacks, strokes, and fatalities, so consultation with a healthcare provider and early diagnosis are imperative to proper, successful treatment.

What Will Dissolve Plaque in Arteries?

Unfortunately, complete dissolution of arterial plaque buildup isn’t possible, but there are methods to shrinking and stabilizing buildups to ensure a healthier, happier life.

Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Atherosclerosis

• Nutritious, wholesome diets emphasizing healthy fats, like avocados and olive oils in moderation, can reduce the risks of atherosclerosis. Consume foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and fish while limiting processed or red meats and foods with saturated fats. Whole grains, beans, and foods rich in fiber can also help!
• Burn body fat and get in shape with a regular exercise routine that strengthens your heart and pumps blood through your body to get your arteries flowing. Aerobic exercises can lower blood pressure and regulate blood sugar levels, making it easier to maintain a healthier body weight to avoid arterial plaque buildup.
• Avoid bad habits like smoking and drinking. Both can damage arterial linings, making you more susceptible to plaque damage.

In serious cases of arterial plaque buildup, some doctors prescribe medication, like statins, to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and prevent further buildup. Regular blood tests can help you keep track of your LDL levels since high levels contribute to plaque formation.

What is the Main Cause of Plaque Buildup in Arteries?

Eating one cheeseburger isn’t going to suddenly block your arteries, but eating a cheeseburger three times a day for years will contribute to arterial plaque buildup. Red meats and processed foods are rich in saturated fats, which are bad for your arteries because they raise cholesterol. This triggers an accumulation of plaque on arterial walls, resulting in inflammation that narrows the arteries and blocks proper blood flow. Enough of a blockage can be fatal.

Other Causes of Plaque Buildup Include:

• Being overweight. Most overweight people have high levels of LDL cholesterol, raising their risk of heart disease and leading to arterial plaque formation.
• Age. As people age, cholesterol levels become more difficult to control. For women, LDL levels can increase significantly after menopause.
• Genetics. If high cholesterol and problems with heart disease and arterial blockages run in your family, you have a higher risk of the same.

Can You Reverse Calcium Buildup in Arteries?

Complete reversal of calcium building in arteries is unlikely, but you can prevent further buildup and stabilize existing ones with a healthy lifestyle change. Maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise, consume nutritious and wholesome foods that are low in saturated fats, and protect arterial linings by giving up bad habits like smoking or excessive drinking. You should also have regular checkups with a healthcare provider to monitor and manage arterial plaque buildup.

What are the Steps of Plaque Buildup?

Arterial plaque buildup occurs in several stages, beginning with endothelial damage, which is damage to the inner layer of your arteries. From there, cholesterol enters the damaged arteries, forming foam cells because white blood cells attempt to digest bad cholesterol.

How Arterial Plaque Leads to Inflammation and Complications

This creates inflammation, recruiting more white blood cells to the area and creating more foam cells to thicken the arterial walls. The cycle of arterial plaque buildup continues. In some cases, a fibrous cap of smooth muscle cells forms to prevent plaque from entering the bloodstream. However, if the arterial plaque buildup continues to grow, it narrows arteries, causing a rupture that leads to dangerous blood clots.

Imaging Techniques for Early Detection of Atherosclerosis

What is Atherosclerosis and Its Relation to Heart Disease?

Atherosclerosis is the process of arterial plaque buildup that narrows the arteries, blocking blood flow to the heart, brain, arms, legs, and kidneys. The accumulation comes from cholesterol, saturated fats, and calcium deposits, and severe blockages can lead to blood clots or fatal outcomes. This condition can be dangerous, so early detection of atherosclerosis is crucial in stabilization and further prevention.

Imaging Methods for Early Detection of Atherosclerosis

Luckily, there are several methods, like imaging techniques, for early detection of atherosclerosis. 

MRI

High-resolution MRIs, for instance, provide detailed imaging and information about existing plaque formations. It allows healthcare providers to see the composition of arterial plaque buildup, enabling them to devise a plan of action to prevent further buildup.

Angiography

Angiography is another imaging technique for the early detection of atherosclerosis. A special type of X-ray, this method uses contrast dye to receive visuals of arteries throughout the body, particularly the heart, neck, and brain. It helps healthcare professionals see the narrowing (stenosis) of arterial passages.

Cardiac MRIs

Cardiac MRIs are specific to atherosclerosis in the heart. They detect tissue damage or blood flow issues, acting as an invaluable tool for assessing atherosclerosis progression in serious cases. Healthcare professionals also utilize ultrasound machines, fluorescence, and photoacoustic imaging to scan blood vessels. Each imaging method works in different ways to detect high-risk atherosclerosis early.

What Is the Best Imaging Modality for Atherosclerosis?

MRIs, also known as high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging, have become a popular method of atherosclerosis detection and risk assessment. Unlike other arterial visualization and examination methods, MRIs provide high-resolution pictures without ionizing radiation. When combined with angiography, they are a safe, reliable technique for studying vessel walls and surrounding arterial plaque buildup. In some cases, healthcare providers may measure blood flow and stenosis damage after an MRI with an ultrasound.

While MRIs are most common and considered the best imaging modality for atherosclerosis, each imaging technique has its strengths. Used in sequence, each imaging system provides a closer look and detailed understanding of arterial plaque buildup and associated health risks.

How Can You Detect Atherosclerosis Early? 

Atherosclerosis can be difficult to pinpoint because it progresses silently, often remaining elusive until symptoms become severe. However, attention to how you feel and regular healthcare checkups can lead to earlier detection.

Some Signs of Intravascular Arterial Plaque Buildup Include

• Chest pain or intense tightness or pressure. It becomes severe with physical activity, then subsides with rest, but the pattern is consistent.
• Extreme fatigue or shortness of breath.
• Difficulty speaking or weakness and loss of control on one side of the body. These are called transient ischemic attacks, often occurring before a stroke caused by an arterial blockage.
• Poor circulation in the legs and calf muscle pain while walking.
• Poor wound healing.
• Reduced pulses in the feet.

If you experience these symptoms, a healthcare professional can use risk assessment and testing to check blood sugar and cholesterol levels. High levels increase the risks of atherosclerosis, which may lead to further testing to evaluate arterial inflammation and heart function.

What Is the Diagnostic Imaging of Atherosclerosis?

Diagnostic imaging of atherosclerosis varies, but common methods include:

• Heart scans (coronary calcium scans) use a CT scan to detect calcium deposits that may hinder blood flow in the heart’s arteries.
• Doppler sonograms arean ultrasound technique that measures the velocity and direction of blood flow to assess arterial blockages.
• Thallium and myocardial perfusion scans track blood flow through the heart muscle during rest and intense exercise.

These diagnostic imaging systems utilize different techniques to detect abnormalities in blood flow because atherosclerosis involves narrowing arteries, which obstructs blood flow. With timely intervention, healthcare professionals can develop a plan for better management of atherosclerosis.

Which Type of Imaging Would Be Used to Identify Atherosclerosis?

Healthcare professionals utilize a combination of imaging methods to detect and identify atherosclerosis. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), for instance, is an advanced imaging technique that provides detailed visuals of large arteries. MRAs can reveal severe inflammation, arterial plaque buildup, and metabolic activity to determine how quickly arterial issues could be resolved or better managed.

Cardiac catheterization and angiogram are other imaging techniques that use a flexible tube inserted into a blood vessel and guided to the heart. Used in suspected severe atherosclerosis cases, this method involves contrast dye injected into the catheter, where blood flow guides it through the arteries. It helps determine how severely arteries are narrowed or blocked. With proper identification, healthcare providers can better monitor atherosclerosis progression and prevent further damage.

The Connection Between Atherosclerosis and Heart Attacks

Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death on a global basis. Atherosclerosis is also one of the causes of heart issues. When you understand what atherosclerosis is, what causes it, and how it connects to heart attacks, you can take steps to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and promote heart health.

Arteriosclerosis: A Brief Explanation

Arteriosclerosis is a term for the hardening and thickening of arteries. It impacts blood vessels that move oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body. Some arteriosclerosis is common in people as they age, but when it progresses to a considerable degree, it can cause serious health issues. Arteriosclerosis can be seen in various forms, with atherosclerosis being one of the most dangerous and common.

The Difference Between Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis

Understanding Arteriosclerosis vs. Atherosclerosis

As mentioned, arteriosclerosis refers to the thickening and hardening of arteries. Atherosclerosis is a particular type of arteriosclerosis. In this specific type, the inner walls of the arteries become clogged with plaque, which is made from calcium, cholesterol, fat, and other substances found in the blood. The buildup can make blood flow slower or, even worse, break off and create blood clots. All atherosclerosis is arteriosclerosis, but the opposite is not valid.

Causes of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis often starts in childhood and develops over a long period. The cause of the disease is not fully understood at this time. However, there are many risk factors to be aware of.

Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis and Heart Attacks

1. Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels and cause plaque to accumulate.
2. Genetics: Family history is essential when determining whether a specific person is likely to develop atherosclerosis.
3. High Blood Pressure: Hypertension can damage the arteries, making plaque buildup more likely.
4. High Cholesterol: High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, or bad cholesterol, significantly affect plaque formation.
5. Obesity: Having extra body weight can lead to diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, which are all risk factors for atherosclerosis.
6. Sedentary Lifestyle: Not enough physical activity can lead to high cholesterol levels, hypertension, and obesity.
7. Smoking: Tobacco smoke has several chemicals that can damage blood vessel walls and make it more likely for someone to develop atherosclerosis.
8. Unhealthy Diet: Diets high in trans fats, saturated fats, and cholesterol can lead to high blood cholesterol levels.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Atherosclerosis can impact any arteries in the body and cause many cardiovascular diseases. When the problem happens in coronary arteries, it may cause coronary artery disease, which often occurs before heart attacks.

 When a Patient Experiences Narrowing of their Coronary Arteries 

When coronary artery disease occurs, plaque narrows the coronary arteries, which means less blood makes it to the heart muscle. This may lead to chest pain, and a blood clot can form if the plaque ruptures. This can entirely block the artery and lead to a heart attack. The lack of blood flow keeps oxygen from reaching the heart muscle, which causes damage or death of heart tissue.

Peripheral Artery Disease

In addition, atherosclerosis can cause peripheral artery disease, which impacts the arteries in the arms and legs. It may also result in cerebrovascular disease, which causes issues with the arteries that supply the brain and can cause strokes.

The Role of Atherosclerosis in Heart Attacks

A myocardial infarction or a heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked for so long that part of the heart muscle is damaged or dies. The primary cause of heart attacks is atherosclerosis. Plaques that form in the arteries can be unstable or stable. The stable ones grow slowly and are less likely to cause heart attacks. Unstable plaques tend to be more dangerous as rupturing is not uncommon.

How Unstable Plaque Ruptures Lead to Heart Attacks 

When unstable plaque ruptures, items like cholesterol in the plaque are put into the bloodstream. This causes the formation of a blood clot, which may become large enough to block the artery entirely. When the coronary artery is blocked, the part of the heart supplied by it doesn’t get oxygen and will die, leading to a heart attack.

Final Thoughts

Atherosclerosis is a serious underlying cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including heart attacks. When you understand the way heart attacks and atherosclerosis connect, you can take steps to reduce your risk. Managing risk factors, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and seeing a doctor regularly are all great strategies to prevent atherosclerosis and ensure your heart is healthy.

Promoting Awareness of Atherosclerosis and Heart Health

One of the most important things we can do is promote awareness of atherosclerosis and how it impacts heart health. Spreading that knowledge gives people the power to make better decisions about their health. It can also help reduce the number of heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases.