Symptoms of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the condition in which an artery wall thickens as the result of a build-up of fatty materials such as cholesterol. This buildup is called plaque. The plaque can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot.

Plaque buildup can slow and even stop blood flow. This means the tissue supplied by the artery is cut off from its blood supply. This often leads to pain or decreased function. Atherosclerosis remains clinically silent until organ ischemia causes symptoms.

Symptoms depend on which arteries are affected. For example:
• Coronary arteries of the heart—May cause symptoms of heart disease, such as chest pain or pressure (angina).
• Arteries to the brain—May cause symptoms of sudden numbness or weakness in arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, temporary loss of vision in one eye, or drooping muscles in face. These signal a transient ischemic attack (TIA), which, if left untreated, may progress to a stroke.
• Arteries in the lower extremities—May cause pain in the legs or feet and trouble walking
Symptoms of atherosclerosis