What is atherosclerosis?
It is a condition that affects all arteries of the human body and it evolves over decades, beginning in the teenage years. It is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the artery walls - forming atherosclerotic plaques - which leads to the narrowing of the arteries.
Consequences
When atherosclerosis affects the arteries of the brain, it can lead to stroke.
In the legs, it can lead to pain and a walking disability.
When atherosclerosis affects the coronary arteries, it leads to coronary artery disease.
Angina pectoris and myocardial infarction (heart attack) are the 2 main presentations of coronary artery disease.
The bad news concerning coronary artery disease is that it is a chronic condition which progresses over time. The good news is that you can intervene to slow or even reverse this evolution.
Coronary artery disease is often not fatal. Well defined conditions known as cardiovascular risk factors, increase its likelihood.
