The build-up of cells, fat, cholesterol and other substances - together known as plaque - in the arteries can lead to blood flow being blocked, preventing supply to the heart and brain.
Dr Jeni Worden last medically reviewed this article in January 2010.
Symptoms include:
If untreated, it can also cause:
The causes are unknown, but it may be due to high cholesterol and fat levels in the blood, high blood pressure and smoking. Deposits build up on the artery wall, and may stimulate the cells in the wall to produce further substances adding further layers of blockage. Fat builds up around and within these cells causing narrowing, or stenosis.
The inner layer of the artery wall thickens considerably, reducing the blood flow and starving the heart and/or brain of oxygen. A blood clot can also form, blocking off the artery completely. The arteries of the leg are often affected, as well as abdominal arteries and those near the pelvis - iliac arteries. This is called peripheral arterial disease.
Risk factors include:
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