Atherosclerosis, which is also called arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, is an accumulation of plaque deposits in the lining of the arteries. Your arteries are the blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart and other parts of your body.
As a recognized leader in cardiovascular care, UPMC offers innovative treatment techniques for atherosclerosis and other heart and blood vessel conditions.
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Atherosclerosis, also known as arteriosclerosis, causes a hardening of your arteries due to plaque build-up. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood.
As plaque builds up, the arteries narrow and harden, slowing—and even stopping—blood flow.
Atherosclerosis is a common condition that affects nearly 4.6 million Americans.
Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease that happens when the cells that line your blood vessels become damaged.
Common causes of damage that lead to atherosclerosis include:
At UPMC, we can screen people for atherosclerosis risk factors and provide treatments to minimize the risks. Common risk factors for atherosclerosis include:
Arteriosclerosis is a serious condition that can lead to:
You may not be able to control some of your risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as a family history of heart disease. However, certain lifestyle habits may lower your risk:
Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular (heart) disease with no visible symptoms. It often remains undetected until the arteries leading to a vital organ are blocked.
When a blockage occurs, symptoms vary — depending on the location of affected arteries — and may include:
If you think you may have atherosclerosis, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. If your symptoms are sudden and severe, dial 911 or visit the nearest hospital emergency room.
Your doctor may suspect atherosclerosis based on your symptoms and medical history. However, additional testing is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
During your physical exam, your doctor will:
Your doctor will order further tests if they suspect you have atherosclerosis.
Following your exam, you may need to have additional tests to help confirm a diagnosis of atherosclerosis, such as:
If left untreated, atherosclerosis can lead to potentially life-threatening health problems, such as heart attack and stroke. However, with proper treatment and lifestyle changes, you may be able to reduce your risk of complications from atherosclerosis and keep your condition from getting worse.
Medications, lifestyle changes, and surgery may be helpful in treating atherosclerosis.
UPMC's multidisciplinary team of cardiologists, radiologists, surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, physical therapists, and nutritionists provides a full range of advanced atherosclerosis treatments.
Treatments focus on:
Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes including:
Your doctor may prescribe medicines to:
Your doctor may recommend minimally invasive treatment to restore blood flow. These procedures are performed using a thin tube called a catheter. The catheter is inserted into a blood vessel through a small incision and guided to the narrowed artery during the procedure. Procedures include:
Also known as coronary artery bypass surgery or heart bypass surgery, CABG restores blood flow to the heart if you have blocked or narrowed arteries. UPMC cardiac surgeons offer all CABG options, including traditional, open-heart CABG procedures and minimally invasive and robotic CABG.
During CABG, your surgeon:
Surgical and catheter-based treatments for atherosclerosis are effective at reducing symptoms, restoring blood flow, and lowering your risk of complications. Medications and lifestyle changes may slow or stop your condition from getting worse.
At UPMC, we offer a full range of standard and minimally invasive procedures to treat atherosclerosis. When you choose UPMC for your atherosclerosis care, you will benefit from our:
Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-10-01.
