Coronary arteries arise at the point of maximum blood pressure in the circulatory system. During the course of time, the walls of the arteries tend to lose elasticity, which limits the amount of blood that can jump through them and thus limit the supply of oxygen to the heart. Condition is known as arteriosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis refers to the term process of formation of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin (clot substances in the blood) on the walls of the arteries. Substances that are formed are called plaque.

If the plaque is formed in the arteries, the arteries gradually become thin and clogged. Arteries become less elastic, blood flow is reduced. Plaque coated hard cover, size and shape vary. Some plaques are unstable and can rupture. When plaque rupture occurs in the arterial blood clots that clog arteries, so stop the blood flow as a whole. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of the disease called kardiovaskluer disease, vascular disease and heart.


Arteriosclerosis is a general term for thickening and hardening of the arteries. Some hardening of arteries that commonly occurs when the age increases.

What Causes Formation of Plaque in Arteries? Although many known risk factors, the exact cause of atherosclerosis is unclear. Too much cholesterol in the blood, arterial wall damage, and inflammation appear to play an important role in the formation of plaque.

How Atherosclerosis Started?

Many scientists who thought that atherosclerosis begins because the innermost layer of damaged arteries. This layer is called the endothelium. Damage to the endothelium may be caused by three things:
-Cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood increases
-High blood pressure
Cigarette-smoke
-Diabetes
-Genetic Factors

After the damaged artery wall, there is deposition of fat, calcium, cholesterol overall buildup is called plaque. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) was precipitated together with other substances, but easily oxidized LDL cholesterol. When LDL is oxidized, the arterial wall will produce a chemical which causes even more accumulation of plaque on artery walls.

In the blood, cholesterol circulates in the state of bound protein. This cholesterol-protein packages called lipoproteins. Lipoprotein grouped into three: the density (density) high, low density or very low density, depending on the ratio of the amount of protein than fat.

1. LDL (Low density lipoprotein) cholesterol

LDL is also called "bad" cholesterol is a major source of the formation and clogged arteries. The more LDL in the blood, the greater the risk of heart disease.

2. VLDL (Triglycerides / very low density lipoprotein) cholesterol

Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood is carried by very low density lipoproteins. VLDL with LDL cholesterol, mostly in fat but not much protein. High triglyceride levels, along with a High LDL cholesterol increases the risk of heart attack.

3. DL (High-density lipoproteins) cholesterol
HDL is called good cholesterol, helps the body remove the bad cholesterol in the blood. The higher levels of HDL cholesterol, the better.

Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart throughout the body. A healthy artery is an artery that is flexible, strong and elastic. However, too much pressure on the artery walls to thicken and to make a stiff - sometimes restricting blood flow to organs and tissues. This process is called arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis, but the term is often used interchangeably. Atherosclerosis is the formation of fat in and on the walls of the arteries (plaque), which can restrict blood flow. This plaque can also rupture and cause blood clots. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in the body. Atherosclerosis is a condition that is preventable and treatable.

Symptoms

Aterosclerosis formed gradually. Usually the symptoms will not appear until the artery atherosclerosis is narrowed or blocked so that can not supply enough blood to organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely block blood flow, or even break down and cause blood clots that can trigger a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms aterosclerosis based on where the affected artery. For example:

• If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries of the heart, you may have symptoms similar to other heart attack, such as chest pain (angina)

• If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries to the brain, you may have symptoms such as numbness or sudden weakness in arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speaking, or a drooping of facial muscles

• If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries in the arms and legs, you may have symptoms of peripheral arterial disease, such as pain in the feet when walking.

Sometimes, atherosclerosis causes erectile dysfunction in men.

Causes & Risk Factors

Cause

Atherosclerosis is a disease that develops slowly and gradually. The disease can begin in early childhood. Despite the exact cause is unknown, scientists suspect that atherosclerosis begins with damage or injury to the lining of the arteries. Damage may be caused by:

• High blood pressure
 • High cholesterol
 • irritants, such as nicotine
 • certain diseases, like diabetes

Once inside the walls of damaged arteries, blood cells called platelets often clump and wounding place to try to repair the artery causing swelling. Over time, plaques formed from cholesterol and other waste substances are also gathered at the site of this injury, to harden and narrow arteries. Organs and tissues associated with the blocked artery is then not receiving enough blood to function properly.

Eventually some of the plaque may rupture and into the bloodstream. This can cause blood clots and damage to organs, such as heart attack. Blood clots can also be delivered to other parts of the body and partially or completely block blood flow to other organs.

Risk factors

Hardening of the arteries occurs every time. In addition, factors that increase the risk of atherosclerosis, among others:
 • High blood pressure
 • High cholesterol
 • Diabetes
 • Obesity
 • Smoking
 • Family history with an aneurysm or heart disease early

Prevention

Same lifestyle changes recommended to treat atherosclerosis can also be prevented. You have seen earlier also help in prevention - stop smoking, eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, maintain healthy weight, and do not drink alcohol. Remember to make a step change now.