Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Atherosclerosis?Hypertension and AtherosclerosisDiagnosisTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Atherosclerosis?
Hypertension and Atherosclerosis
Diagnosis
Treatment
Atherosclerosis(also called atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease) is a specific type of arteriosclerosis. The two terms are often used interchangeably. There are many risk factors that may come into play when a person has atherosclerosis. One such major contributing influence ishypertension(high blood pressure), which can cause damage to the arteries and result in the restriction of blood flow to the heart and other organs and tissues of the body.
Hypertensive atherosclerosis could result in a stroke or heart attack due to a blockage or a rupture. The good news is that there are effective treatments that can help maintain normal blood pressure levels, as well as medication that may slow down the acceleration of atherosclerosis.
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Atherosclerosis—also known as atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease—is a condition that involves a build-up of deposits that formplaquesin the wall of the arteries. This build-up can eventually constrict or occlude the artery and reduce blood flow.
There are often no symptoms of atherosclerosis until an artery has become so narrow or obstructed that it can no longer supply adequate blood to organs and tissues. When this occurs in the heart, the subsequent shortage of adequate blood flow and oxygen can lead to a heart attack.
Chronic (long-term) elevation of blood pressure can speed up the process of developing atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis Can Effect Other Parts of the BodyAtherosclerosis affects more than the heart. Depending on which arteries are affected, the risk factors vary.Arteries in the brain:This can lead to a stroke ortransient ischemic attack.Arteries in the lower extremities or abdomen:This is referred to asperipheral artery disease.Arteries in the kidneys:This can lead to kidney disease or kidney failure.
Atherosclerosis Can Effect Other Parts of the Body
Atherosclerosis affects more than the heart. Depending on which arteries are affected, the risk factors vary.Arteries in the brain:This can lead to a stroke ortransient ischemic attack.Arteries in the lower extremities or abdomen:This is referred to asperipheral artery disease.Arteries in the kidneys:This can lead to kidney disease or kidney failure.
Atherosclerosis affects more than the heart. Depending on which arteries are affected, the risk factors vary.
Symptoms
There are usually no outward symptoms of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease until an occlusion of blood flow occurs. Once there is a blockage of the artery, symptoms commonly include the following.
If you have any symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, seek emergency medical attention (such as calling 911) immediately.
The adverse impact of hypertension on the cardiovascular system results in an increase in tension in the walls of the arteries, which thickens the endothelium (the innermost layer of the artery) and narrows smaller arteries. This physical stress aggravates and accelerates atherosclerosis, particularly in the heart and brain.
As the arteries narrow over time, fat, cholesterol, and other substances begin to build up in what is referred to as plaque. This process is called atherosclerosis.
There is increasing scientific evidence that identifies atherosclerosis as primarily an inflammatory disease.High blood cholesterol is thought to activate the inflammatory response.
Although hypertension is considered a risk factor for developing atherosclerosis, the exact mechanism of how high blood pressure may lend itself to the development of atherosclerosis is not very well understood.
Today, scientists are uncovering information that suggests these two disease entities—hypertension and atherosclerosis—have common mechanisms. For example, both diseases impact the endothelium (the lining of the arterial blood vessels), which is a primary anatomical area where the disease process occurs.
More research is needed to better understand the link between hypertension and atherosclerosis.
The Spiraling Affect of Hypertension and AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis may be a consequence of hypertension, but once atherosclerosis occurs, hypertension will almost invariably worsen. This cause-and-effect relationship tends to have a spiraling effect.
The Spiraling Affect of Hypertension and Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis may be a consequence of hypertension, but once atherosclerosis occurs, hypertension will almost invariably worsen. This cause-and-effect relationship tends to have a spiraling effect.
Getting a diagnosis of hypertension does not necessarily mean that a person has atherosclerosis. However, if hypertension has been undiagnosed for a long period of time or goes untreated, it can predispose a person to developing atherosclerosis.
High Blood Pressure Diagnosis
A person isdiagnosed with hypertensionwhen their blood pressure measures over 129 mmHg systolic (the top number) and over 80 mmHg diastolic (the bottom number).
High blood pressure readings must be consistent over time, because the blood pressure normally fluctuates up and down with activity and other factors. Therefore, there are specific preset parameters indicating how many times a high blood pressure reading must be to qualify for a diagnosis of high blood pressure.
There are two categories of hypertension.
Having untreated high blood pressure of 140/90 increases the risk of getting atherosclerosis two- to three-fold.
Diagnostic Tests
Diagnostic tests for atherosclerosis include the following.
Physical exam—During a physical exam, your healthcare provider will look for signs of poor circulation, such as:
Blood tests—Some lab tests can indicate a risk for atherosclerosis even when a person has no symptoms. These may include indicators such as high cholesterol or elevated HbA1c levels (a test that indicates a person has prediabetes or diabetes). Blood glucose (sugar) levels may be checked and other lab tests performed that may indicate a possibility of atherosclerosis.
CT or MRI angiography—These are imaging tests that involve taking a series of pictures inside the body at different angles. The images show very detailed information about different parts of the body. To diagnose atherosclerosis, a CT scan is taken of the heart to evaluate the presence of calcium deposits. Before the procedure, a dye is swallowed to enable a clear view of the organs or tissues.
MRI—An imaging test that involves strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images. When diagnosing atherosclerosis, an MRI is used to differentiate the major components of atherosclerotic plaque.An MRI can also be used to measure the diameter of the artery wall.
Doppler ultrasound—A special device is used to measure blood pressure in various areas along the arms and legs to assess the severity of any blockages and evaluate how the blood flows through the arteries.
Cardiac stress test—A test to measure the blood supply in the coronary arteries when the heart is working (as a result of walking on a treadmill). This test is sometimes referred to as an exercise or treadmill test. A cardiac stress test may be used for diagnosis, or it may be ordered when your healthcare provider wants to recommend what level of exercise is right for you.
Echocardiogram or nuclear scans—This provides better detection of heart disease. If artery blockages are present, the EKG, echocardiogram, or nuclear scan will show characteristic abnormalities, enabling your healthcare provider to make a diagnosis of coronary artery disease.
How Atherosclerosis vs. Arteriosclerosis Affects Arteries
Although there is no cure for atherosclerosis, many things can be done to help slow down the progress of the disease. The overall preventative goal is to prevent serious narrowing of the arteries, which will prevent subsequent damage to vital organs.
Medications to control blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels are instrumental in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Cholesterol-Lowering Medications
Antihypertensive Therapy
Many different types of drugs treat hypertension. Each type is differentiated according to its own category. Common types of antihypertensive drugs include the following.
Other Interventions
Although there is no cure yet for atherosclerosis, there are some things—in addition to taking medications—that you can do to slow down the progression of the condition. Lifestyle changes found to help slow the progression of atherosclerosis include the following.
A Word From Verywell
The takeaway is that the best course of action for atherosclerosis is to take preventative measures, such as:
If you have high blood pressure—particularly along with high cholesterol levels—it’s important to see your healthcare provider regularly. Be sure to report any symptoms or changes in your health to your practitioner right away.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Seconds Count (SCAI).What is arterial plaque?Hollander W.Role of hypertension in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The American Journal of Cardiology. 1976;38(6):786-800. doi:10.1016/0002-9149(76)90357-xAmerican Heart Association Journals. Alexander RW.Hypertension and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: oxidative stress and the mediation of arterial inflammatory response: a new perspective. Hypertension. 1995;25(2):155-161. doi:10.1161/01.HYP.25.2.155Alexander RW.Hypertension and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: oxidative stress and the mediation of arterial inflammatory response: a new perspective. Hypertension. 1995;25(2):155-161.doi:10.1161/01.HYP.25.2.155American College of Cardiology.Guidelines for high blood pressure in adults.American College of Cardiology.Guidelines for high blood pressure in adults.Kannel WB.Hypertension: reflections on risks and prognostication. Medical Clinics of North America. 2009;93(3):541-558. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2009.02.006Harvard Health.Atherosclerosis, what is it?American Heart Association.What is cardiac catheterization?American Heart Association.Exercise stress test.Harvard Health.Medications for treating hypertension.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Seconds Count (SCAI).What is arterial plaque?Hollander W.Role of hypertension in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The American Journal of Cardiology. 1976;38(6):786-800. doi:10.1016/0002-9149(76)90357-xAmerican Heart Association Journals. Alexander RW.Hypertension and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: oxidative stress and the mediation of arterial inflammatory response: a new perspective. Hypertension. 1995;25(2):155-161. doi:10.1161/01.HYP.25.2.155Alexander RW.Hypertension and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: oxidative stress and the mediation of arterial inflammatory response: a new perspective. Hypertension. 1995;25(2):155-161.doi:10.1161/01.HYP.25.2.155American College of Cardiology.Guidelines for high blood pressure in adults.American College of Cardiology.Guidelines for high blood pressure in adults.Kannel WB.Hypertension: reflections on risks and prognostication. Medical Clinics of North America. 2009;93(3):541-558. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2009.02.006Harvard Health.Atherosclerosis, what is it?American Heart Association.What is cardiac catheterization?American Heart Association.Exercise stress test.Harvard Health.Medications for treating hypertension.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Seconds Count (SCAI).What is arterial plaque?Hollander W.Role of hypertension in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The American Journal of Cardiology. 1976;38(6):786-800. doi:10.1016/0002-9149(76)90357-xAmerican Heart Association Journals. Alexander RW.Hypertension and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: oxidative stress and the mediation of arterial inflammatory response: a new perspective. Hypertension. 1995;25(2):155-161. doi:10.1161/01.HYP.25.2.155Alexander RW.Hypertension and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: oxidative stress and the mediation of arterial inflammatory response: a new perspective. Hypertension. 1995;25(2):155-161.doi:10.1161/01.HYP.25.2.155American College of Cardiology.Guidelines for high blood pressure in adults.American College of Cardiology.Guidelines for high blood pressure in adults.Kannel WB.Hypertension: reflections on risks and prognostication. Medical Clinics of North America. 2009;93(3):541-558. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2009.02.006Harvard Health.Atherosclerosis, what is it?American Heart Association.What is cardiac catheterization?American Heart Association.Exercise stress test.Harvard Health.Medications for treating hypertension.
Seconds Count (SCAI).What is arterial plaque?
Hollander W.Role of hypertension in atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. The American Journal of Cardiology. 1976;38(6):786-800. doi:10.1016/0002-9149(76)90357-x
American Heart Association Journals. Alexander RW.Hypertension and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: oxidative stress and the mediation of arterial inflammatory response: a new perspective. Hypertension. 1995;25(2):155-161. doi:10.1161/01.HYP.25.2.155
Alexander RW.Hypertension and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis: oxidative stress and the mediation of arterial inflammatory response: a new perspective. Hypertension. 1995;25(2):155-161.doi:10.1161/01.HYP.25.2.155
American College of Cardiology.Guidelines for high blood pressure in adults.
Kannel WB.Hypertension: reflections on risks and prognostication. Medical Clinics of North America. 2009;93(3):541-558. doi:10.1016/j.mcna.2009.02.006
Harvard Health.Atherosclerosis, what is it?
American Heart Association.What is cardiac catheterization?
American Heart Association.Exercise stress test.
Harvard Health.Medications for treating hypertension.
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