Atherosclerosis Directory
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances build up in the walls of your arteries. This buildup is called "plaque." Plaque clogs your arteries, causing them to become narrow, which makes it difficult for blood to flow. Atherosclerosis raises your risk of heart attacks and strokes. If the condition involves the arteries in your legs, it is called peripheral artery disease. Follow the links below to find WebMD's comprehensive coverage about how atherosclerosis develops, what it looks like, how to treat it, and much more.
Medical Reference
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Atherosclerosis: What’s Weight Got to Do With It?
Extra weight contributes to atherosclerosis, the leading cause of death in the U.S. Fortunately, taking the weight off can slow down or prevent atherosclerosis.
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Drugs to Treat Atherosclerosis
Common drugs, such as statins and aspirin, may slow the effects of atherosclerosis. Find out more, including information about medications to fight high blood pressure and prevent blood clots.
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Atherosclerosis and High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure is a major cause of atherosclerosis, the artery-clogging process that leads to heart attacks and strokes. Find out more.
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Atherosclerosis and Stroke
About half of all strokes are caused by atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries caused by high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, and other factors. WebMD tells you what causes atherosclerosis and how to prevent it.
Features
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How Much Do You Know About Atherosclerosis?
Take WebMD's five-minute quiz to see just how much you understand about atherosclerosis and heart disease.
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Hardened Arteries: It's About More Than Heart Disease
Hardened arteries aren't just a heart problem.
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Atherosclerosis: Prevention Through the Ages
In most of us, atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries is already under way. But regardless of your age, there are specific steps you can take to slow down atherosclerosis.
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Could atherosclerosis already be clogging your arteries?
Could atherosclerosis be clogging your arteries? Find out what’s happening in this peek into your body's highway system.