If a plaque grows so large that it stops blood flow to the heart muscle, you could have a heart attack. It can also cause heart failure, which means the heart can’t pump enough blood throughout the body to meet the body's needs. This can lead to an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Without enough oxygen, the heart can become weaker. If you don’t get enough, it can lead to shortness of breath and chest pain (angina). Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to the heart. Like gunk in a clogged drainpipe, this buildup prevents a free flow of blood through the arteries. As a result, blood cells called platelets will try to repair the artery, forming a blood clot. In some cases, plaque can break or rupture. That makes arteries become harder and narrower, which doctors call “atherosclerosis.“ Starting as early as childhood, plaque - a combination of cholesterol, fat, and other substances - starts to stick to the walls lining your blood vessels. It can take decades to block the blood flow, but it can eventually cause a heart attack or failure. The trouble starts when a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. Although it’s the top cause of death in the U.S., there is a lot you can do to prevent or treat it. ![]() Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease.
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