Atherosclerosis Causes & Risks

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Atherosclerosis Guide

Christine Jeffries
Empowered
Christine Jeffries

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Causes

Atherosclerosis is caused by plaque. Plaques are created by high levels of cholesterol and fat in the blood. Scar tissue and calcium from vessel injury can also add to the plaque build up.

The process leading to this may begin in childhood. It takes decades before it causes serious health problems.

Risk Factors

There are two types of factors that increase your chance of atherosclerosis:

  • Risk factors you cannot control:
    • Father or brother who developed complications of atherosclerosis before age 55 or mother or sister who developed complications of atherosclerosis before age 65
    • Age: 45 and older for men; 55 and older for women
    • Sex: men have a greater risk of heart attack than women
  • Risk factors you can control:
    • High cholesterol —especially LDL ("bad") cholesterol and low HDL (“good”) cholesterol
    • High blood pressure
    • Cigarette smoking
    • Diabetes, type 1 and type 2
    • Overweight and obesity
    • Lack of physical activity
    • Metabolic syndrome —a combination of three out of the following five findings:
      • Low HDL-cholesterol—also called good cholesterol
      • High triglycerides
      • Elevated blood sugar
      • Elevated blood pressure
      • Increased waist circumference (greater than 40 inches in men and 35 inches in women).

Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2013 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.

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