Plaque is a fatty substance that builds up in arteries and causes a condition called atherosclerosis. The complications related to the buildup of plaque in the arteries are caused by the plaque blocking the flow of blood to vital organs--specifically, your heart and brain. A healthy lifestyle and medical treatment can help you remove and prevent plaque buildup.
What Is Plaque?
Plaque is a combination of cholesterol, fat, calcium and other elements that accumulate on your artery walls. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, damage to the artery wall can precipitate this buildup. The accumulation of plaque can continue to grow and block the artery, or it can break loose and flow through arteries until it lodges and blocks blood flow.
Symptoms
Unfortunately, the buildup of plaque in your arteries can occur without you being aware of it. The first symptom people experience can be a heart attack or stroke. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the most common noticeable sign of the buildup of plaque in the heart is angina, or chest pain. This indicates that blood flow to the heart is being compromised because of the blockage.
Dangers
Because depriving the heart or brain of blood has grave consequences, the dangers involved with plaque in the arteries are serious. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, coronary artery disease--the buildup of plaque in arteries that supply heart muscle with blood--is the number-one cause of death for men and women in the United States. A heart attack can result, or the heart muscle may be weakened over time causing heart failure or irregular heartbeats. The brain may show signs of low blood flow through stroke-like symptoms, or a stroke may be caused by complete blood vessel blockage.
Treatment
Medications may be used to lower blood cholesterol levels and treat high blood pressure. For serious blockages, a device called a stent may be placed in the blocked portion of the artery. Stents are small wire mesh tubes which hold the artery open and allow blood to flow. For plaque that has built up in the carotid arteries that supply the brain with blood, surgery may be performed to remove the plaque.
Prevention
A diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol is essential to prevent the buildup of plaque in your arteries. Additionally, the Mayo Clinic states that regular physical activity can not only lower blood pressure and contribute to a healthy heart, but exercise can also increases the levels of healthy cholesterol in your body.
