Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of the arteries caused by fatty deposits that clog the arteries. The circulatory system works to unclog these blocked vessels by breaking up and removing these deposits, which creates plaque in their place. Most often this process is most effective with less blockages. When blockages are severe, atherosclerosis most commonly appears as a plaque build-up within or on an artery wall known as an atheroma. This subtype of atherosclerotic disease is most common in older adults, but can also affect people under 50 years of age. Atherosclerosis is not a specific disorder and therefore does not necessarily cause symptoms, but it can lead to other conditions such as coronary heart disease. In the case of coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis occurs in an artery that supplies blood to the heart, which may trigger angina pectoris, myocardial infarction or even sudden death. Atherosclerosis is classified as a non-communicable disease because it cannot be directly transmitted from one person to another. While there is no way to prevent atherosclerosis from occurring in people already prone to developing this condition, it can be reduced through changes in diet and lifestyle. Treatments for atherosclerosis include medications and surgery. Medications used to treat atherosclerosis include beta-blockers, glycemic drugs, statins and aspirin. Exercise is also important for reducing both heart attacks and strokes. Surgery is also an option if the condition is severe or disabling enough that it significantly impacts a person's life. Atherosclerosis can be defined as any condition that influences your arteries. The most common factor related to atherosclerosis is aging. However, there are other factors that can cause high cholesterol levels in people also ranging from genetics, obesity, smoking or diabetes to stress or anxiety (mental health). Before atherosclerosis occurs, there are stages where the arterial wall may be damaged. The first stage of atherosclerosis is known as pre-clinical (or early) atherosclerosis, in which the lining of the arteries becomes damaged by fatty deposits that develop in blood vessels. There are 3 types of atherosclerotic disease: Atherosclerosis can affect your heart along with your arteries when it becomes severe enough. An obstacle with both, plaque buildup and aneurysm formation is when disease becomes severe enough that when a blood vessel ruptures a consequential aortic dissection or aortic rupture can occur. These types of events are potentially life threatening. Atherosclerosis (arteries) is one of the most common causes of death in both men and women. The most common type of atherosclerosis is the unstable plaque, where the plaque ruptures causing pieces to break off and become lodged in an artery, causing blockages. If this happens, then inflammation results. It can also be caused by the blood clotting in arteries that cause clots that can damage blood vessels or even rupture into another artery causing a thrombus. This type of atherosclerosis is called an embolism; this is when pieces of plaque break off and become lodged in the bloodstream increasing the chances of a serious event.

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