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Hardening of the Arteries - Atherosclerosis
- Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
- Symptoms & Signs
- Diagnosis & Tests
- Prevention & Expectations
- Treatment & Monitoring
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Prevention & Expectations
What can be done to prevent the disease?
In some cases, atherosclerosis cannot be prevented. A person may be able to reduce his or her risk for developing atherosclerosis in the following ways:
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Unchecked atherosclerosis will continue to narrow the large and medium arteries supplying the body's vital organs. This can result in serious medical problems, such as heart attack, kidney failure, and stroke.
What are the risks to others?
Atherosclerosis is not contagious. It does, however, seem to run in families. If one or both parents have atherosclerosis, a person should make every effort to reduce his or her coronary risk factors. This is especially true for people whose parents developed atherosclerosis early in life.