Arteries are the part of the human circulatory system through which blood carries oxygen and other nutrients throughout the body. Most arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to every system of the body. The interior of arteries is normally smooth and unobstructed, but as a person ages, a sticky substance commonly called plaque can develop and build up on the interior walls. The presence of artery plaque to some degree is almost universal in adults, especially older adults, but excessive buildup can be caused by damaged arterial walls, due to factors such as poor diet and smoking.
Refraining from smoking remains the best way for individuals to reduce their risk of plaque buildup and disease. Apart from blocking blood flow in vital arteries, small pieces of plaque can sometimes become dislodged. If these pieces become lodged in the brain or heart, they can cause a person to suffer from heart attack or stroke.
Coronary artery disease, also called heart disease, is the most common cause of death in the United States in both men and women. It is brought about by the buildup of artery plaque in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle itself. Without adequate oxygen, the heart cannot pump a sufficient amount of blood, causing the rest of the body to therefore lack oxygen.
Buildup in the coronary arteries and elsewhere occurs when the normally smooth arterial lining becomes damaged. This damage creates a rough spot on which plaques can accumulate. Plaques actually form partly as a result of the body’s natural healing mechanisms, which attempt to heal the damaged artery. Artery plaque is made of fibrous tissue, cholesterol, and calcium. As more damage occurs and more plaque builds up, it causes the artery walls to lose elasticity and harden, a condition called atherosclerosis.
Damage to artery walls is usually caused by such factors as smoking, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a particularly insidious cause of artery damage, because it can strike a person even when he or she is relatively healthy and doesn’t smoke. It injures artery walls in the same way that a raging river will erode its banks much faster than one that flows steadily and calmly. Regular exercise and a healthy diet, often coupled with prescription medications, can lower blood pressure to a safer range. Diet and exercise also reduce the amount of fatty acids and cholesterol in the blood, slowing plaque formation.