Overview

Atherosclerosis is a potentially serious condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances called plaques, or atheroma.

These plaques cause the arteries to harden and narrow, restricting the blood flow and oxygen supply to vital organs, and increasing the risk of blood clots that could potentially block the flow of blood to the heart or brain.

Atherosclerosis doesn't tend to have any symptoms at first, and many people may be unaware they have it, but it can eventually cause life-threatening problems such as heart attacks and strokes if it gets worse.

However, the condition is largely preventable with a healthy lifestyle, and treatment can help reduce the risk of serious problems occurring.

Title
Atherosclerosis

Diagnosis

Speak to your GP if you're worried you may be at a high risk of atherosclerosis.

If you're between the ages of 40 and 74, you should have an Health Check every five years, which will include tests to find out if you're at risk of atherosclerosis and CVD.

Your GP or practice nurse can work out your level of risk by taking into account factors such as:

  • Your age, gender and ethnic group
  • Your weight and height
  • If you smoke or have previously smoked
  • If you have a family history of CVD
  • Your blood pressure and cholesterol levels
  • If you have certain long-term conditions

Depending on your result, you may be advised to make lifestyle changes, consider taking medication, or have further tests to check for atherosclerosis and CVD.

Treatment

There aren't currently any treatments that can reverse atherosclerosis, but the healthy lifestyle changes suggested above may help stop it getting worse.

Sometimes additional treatment to reduce the risk of problems like heart attacks and strokes may also be recommended, such as:

Risks

Exactly why and how arteries become clogged is unclear.

It can happen to anyone, although the following things can increase your risk:

  • Increasing age
  • Smoking
  • An unhealthy, high-fat diet
  • Lack of exercise
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Regularly drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
  • Other conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes
  • A family history of atherosclerosis and CVD
  • Being of South Asian, African or African-Caribbean descent

You can't do anything about some of these factors, but by tackling things such as an unhealthy diet and a lack of exercise, you can help reduce your risk of atherosclerosis and CVD.

Self-help

Making healthy lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of developing atherosclerosis and may help stop it getting worse.

The main ways you can reduce your risk are:

  • Stop smoking – ask your GP about stop smoking treatments;
  • Have a healthy diet – avoid foods that are high in saturated fats, salt or sugar, and aim to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day; read more healthy diet advice
  • Exercise regularly – aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity such as cycling or fast walking every week, and strength exercises on at least two days a week
  • Maintain a healthy weight – aim for a body mass index (BMI)of 18.5 to 24.9; use the BMI calculator to work out your BMI and read advice about losing weight
  • Moderate your alcohol consumption – men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 alcohol units a week; get tips on cutting down on alcohol