The most dangerous outcome of atherosclerosis occurs if the plaque ruptures (breaks down). This can happen either in the chest (angina) due to lack of blood getting to the heart, or in the calves (claudication) due to lack of blood to the legs. But once the plaque gets to a certain size, the artery can become so narrowed that insufficient blood gets through, which can cause pain or discomfort, usually during exercise. The disease can be silent for many decades. What are the potential consequences of atherosclerosis? It can take many years before plaque growth has a significant effect. This process gradually continues so more atheroma accumulates, causing more inflammation, which results in a bigger plaque. Over time, this forms a plaque, which consists of the fatty material, the inflammation and the fibrous tissue around it. The artery tries to clear up the inflammation by repairing the tissue, creating a seal of fibrous material over the fatty core. The material is ‘foreign’ to our bodies, so causes inflammation. The most dangerous outcome of atherosclerosis occurs if the plaque rupturesįatty material (or atheroma) starts accumulating in the lining of the artery wall from when we are quite young. I’d like to sign-up What causes atherosclerosis? Our fortnightly Heart Matters newsletter includes the latest updates about coronavirus when you have a heart condition, as well as support for healthy eating, staying active and your emotional wellbeing.
We’re here for you with information and support around coronavirus This can ultimately bring on symptoms such as chest pain ( angina) or lead to life-threatening conditions such as a heart attack or stroke. Atherosclerosis can affect all of the arteries, but particularly those that supply blood to the heart (coronaries), the neck arteries that supply blood to the brain (carotids), and the arteries that supply the legs (peripheral). Why do arteries become narrow?īlocked arteries, also known as Atherosclerosis, is the build-up of fibrous and fatty material inside the arteries and is the underlying condition that causes coronary heart disease and other circulatory diseases. He is also a consultant cardiologist and works at Addenbrookes and Papworth Hospitals.
His team is also developing new imaging techniques to better predict who might have a related event. In this exclusive interview, June Davison talks to BHF Professor Martin Bennett about the condition.īHF Professor Martin Bennett works at the University of Cambridge, researching why people develop atherosclerosis. The build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries is a potential silent killer.