Atherosclerosis


  • Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. 
  • Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood to your heart and other parts of your body.
  • Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. 
  • Over time, plaque hardens and narrows your arteries. 
  • This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your organs and other parts of your body.
  • Atherosclerosis can lead to serious problems, including heart attack, stroke, or even death.
  • Atherosclerosis can affect any artery in the body, including arteries in the heart, brain, arms, legs, pelvis, and kidneys.
  • There is no doubt that lowering the amount of LDL cholesterol sliding through your bloodstream can reduce your odds of having a heart attack.
  • Data from dozens of studies indicate that the chance of being stricken with a heart attack drops 20 percent to 30 percent with effective LDL lowering.