Conditions Related to Atherosclerosis Disease.

• Angina (Angina Pectoris.)  Angina is a type of chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) is a symptom of coronary artery disease. When your heart muscle (myocardium) doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood, you may have chest pain. Angina is typically described as squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness or pain in your chest. Many people with angina say it feels like someone is standing on their chest.
• Heart Attack.  A heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot blocks the flow of blood through a coronary artery — a blood vessel that feeds blood to a part of the heart muscle. Interrupted blood flow to your heart can damage or destroy a part of the heart muscle.

• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD.) This is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce the blood flow to your limbs.

  When you develop peripheral arterial disease, your extremities — usually your legs — don't get enough blood flow to keep up with demand. This causes symptoms, most notably leg pain when walking — a condition called intermittent claudication.

• Stroke.    A stroke occurs when the blood supply to a part of your brain is interrupted or severely reduced, depriving brain tissue of oxygen and nutrients. Within a few minutes, brain cells begin to die.

  Stroke is a medical emergency. Prompt treatment of a stroke could mean the difference between life and death. Early treatment can also minimize damage to your brain and potential disability.

• Coronary Artery Disease.  

  Coronary artery disease is caused by the gradual buildup of fatty deposits in your coronary arteries (atherosclerosis). As the deposits slowly narrow your coronary arteries, your heart receives less blood. Eventually, diminished blood flow may cause chest pain (angina), shortness of breath or other symptoms. A complete blockage can cause a heart attack.

  Since coronary artery disease often develops over decades, it can go virtually unnoticed until it produces a heart attack. But there's plenty you can do to prevent coronary artery disease. Start by committing to a healthy lifestyle.

• Carotid Artery Disease.  

  We've just discussed coronary artery disease, a condition in which the arteries leading to your heart become clogged with fatty deposits called plaques.

  The same buildup of plaques can develop in your carotid arteries, a pair of blood vessels that deliver blood to your brain and head. With carotid artery disease, the danger is that clogged-up carotid arteries will block blood flow to your brain and lead to a stroke. Because carotid artery disease develops slowly and often goes unnoticed, a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) — an early warning sign of a future stroke — may be the first outward clue that you have carotid artery disease.

• Claudication.  

  It strikes when you walk — a distinct pain or cramping in your calf. You stop for a few minutes, and the pain goes away. You continue on, and the pain comes back.

  Your leg pain may be claudication. Claudication is most often a symptom of peripheral arterial disease, a potentially serious but treatable circulation problem. Fortunately, with treatment, you may be able to maintain an active lifestyle without pain.

• More will be added soon!