Complications of atherosclerosis

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Complications of atherosclerosis

The link between high cholesterol and the complications of atherosclerosis is similar to the link between smoking and lung cancer. Although smoking does not guarantee that you will develop lung cancer, it dramatically increases your chances. The same is true of high cholesterol and atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis can develop in any of your arteries, including those that supply blood to your heart muscle, your brain, and your arms and legs. Each of the potential complications of atherosclerosis is associated with arteries in a different part of your body. The following table summarizes the effects that three important complications of atherosclerosis can have on your health.

**Complications of atherosclerosis**
Complication	Artery affected	How it can affect your health
Coronary artery disease (CAD)	Coronary arteries, which supply the heart	Chest pain (angina) Heart attack (myocardial infarction) Sudden death
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)	Large arteries that supply the arms and legs	Decreased blood circulation to your arms and legs Weakness or pain in arms or legs Paleness or blue tinge to your skin Loss of hair in affected areas Ulcers or loss of limb
Cerebrovascular disease	Carotid and cerebral arteries, which supply the brain	Failure of the brain to receive oxygenated blood Stroke

Credits

Author	Ralph Poore
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman
Associate Editor	Terrina Vail
Primary Medical Reviewer	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Neil J. Stone, MD, FACC, FACP - Internal Medicine, Cardiology
Last Updated	July 20, 2006

Last updated:	July 20, 2006
Author:	Ralph Poore
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Neil J. Stone, MD, FACC, FACP - Internal Medicine, Cardiology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Terrina Vail

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