Atherosclerosis Explained: How Plaque Sneaks Up on Your Arteries

The “Stealth Mode” Disease You Don’t Want to Ignore

Atherosclerosis doesn’t kick down the door with obvious symptoms. Instead, it quietly works behind the scenes for years—sometimes decades—until one day it makes its presence known in the worst possible way: a heart attack or stroke.

Understanding how plaque builds up in your arteries can help you prevent it from happening in the first place. Let’s break it down.

What Exactly Is Atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is the gradual hardening and narrowing of your arteries caused by plaque buildup. Plaque is made of cholesterol, fatty substances, calcium, and cellular waste products.

Over time, this sticky mix clings to your arterial walls like an uninvited guest. As it grows, it reduces blood flow and robs your organs—especially your heart and brain—of the oxygen they need.

How Plaque Sneaks Up on You

The process starts with damage to the inner lining of your arteries (the endothelium). This damage can come from:

• High blood pressure

• Smoking

• High LDL cholesterol

• Diabetes or insulin resistance

• Chronic inflammation

Once the lining is damaged, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol slips in and starts to oxidize. Your immune system rushes in to help, but the inflammation response can actually make the plaque worse.

Why You Might Not Feel Anything

The most dangerous thing about atherosclerosis is that it’s often silent until the blockage is significant or a piece of plaque breaks loose. At that point, you could experience:

• Chest pain (angina)

• Shortness of breath

• Stroke symptoms

• Heart attack

By then, the problem has been brewing for years.

The Role of CIMT Scans in Early Detection

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) scans are one of the most advanced, non-invasive tools for detecting early plaque buildup. Unlike traditional tests that only measure risk factors (like cholesterol levels), CIMT lets you actually see what’s happening inside your arteries before symptoms appear.

This means you can take action before the damage becomes permanent.

Preventing Plaque Before It Starts

The good news? You have a lot of control over your arterial health. Key prevention strategies include:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins

• Exercising regularly

• Managing blood pressure and cholesterol

• Quitting smoking

• Reducing stress and improving sleep

Bottom Line

Atherosclerosis doesn’t happen overnight—it’s a slow build that can be stopped or even reversed in its early stages. The key is catching it before it catches you.

If you’re over 40 or have risk factors like high cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, talk to your healthcare provider about getting a CIMT scan.

Your arteries may be silent, but they have a lot to say—if you’re willing to listen.