Heart Disease Prevention and Management
Risk Factors and Prevention
Atherosclerosis is a disease where fatty material called plaque builds up in the inner lining of arteries and makes them less flexible. Plaque buildup reduces the amount of blood and oxygen that gets to vital organs. This is generally called "narrowing of the arteries." Another way that plaque can effect you is that over time, plaque hardens or "calcifies" in the arteries and may rupture, blocking the flow of blood to the heart. Atherosclerosis can occur anywhere in your body.
Complications of atherosclerosis include: stroke or TIA in the brain, angina (chest pain), heart attack, sudden death, heart failure, kidney failure, erectile dysfunction and PAD (peripheral artery disease). The risk factors (1) for atherosclerosis include:
We are dedicated to helping you reduce these risk factors. You can begin no matter what your starting point. You can take charge of your health and well-being.
