The exact cause of atherosclerosis is not fully understood, but it may begin with damage to the inner layer of an artery. This damage can be caused by various factors, including smoking, high cholesterol levels in the blood, diabetes, and hypertension. Once the inner lining of the blood vessel is damaged, fatty deposits and other blood components may start to accumulate. Over time, these fatty deposits, known as plaque, harden and narrow the arteries, restricting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the body.

Atherosclerosis typically causes no symptoms until an artery is severely narrowed, blocked, or a rupture occurs. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath and chest pain, which result from the interruption of blood flow through the vessels. You may also experience numbness or weakness in the arms and legs.

Your doctor will diagnose atherosclerosis based on your medical history, physical examination, and test results. They may recommend blood tests to measure your cholesterol levels. Imaging studies, such as ultrasound and computerized tomography (CT) scans, may also be used to examine your arteries.

Treatment options for atherosclerosis include lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and managing stress. Your doctor may prescribe medications to lower cholesterol levels or blood pressure and help slow the progression of atherosclerosis. Antiplatelet medications may also be prescribed to prevent the formation of blood clots. In severe cases, surgical procedures such as angioplasty (widening narrowed arteries) or bypass grafting (redirecting blood flow through other arteries) may be necessary.