Question 1

in atherosclerosis, plaque builds up in the arteries occluding the lumen.how would this affect bp?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If the plaque occludes the artery then the blood pressure inside the artery will drop.. If it just stiffens the artery without affecting blood flow, the blood pressure inside the artery may be unchanged or appear elevated depending upon the measurement technique.

Question 2

is bloodpressure of 180/120 for one or two month is enough to develop decent amount of atherosclerosis plaque in the arteries?

Accepted Answer

: This is hypertension and over years you will develop atherosclerosis. It is impossible to tell how much you would see in two years without imagining. Rapid treatment with reducing your BP could prevent progression of disease. Good Luck

Question 3

does a normal ct calcium score scan eliminate possibility of atherosclerosis plaque build up in arteries?

Accepted Answer

Not entirely: Usually, a calcium score &gt;100 indicates that calcium deposits are present &amp; that coronary heart disease/obstruction is likely present. Scores between 0 &amp; 100 are considered normal, but this may just indicate a very small amount of calcium that hasn't progressed to disease yet. At your age, follow heart disease prevention--non-smoking, healthy eating/exercise, not calcium score. Good wishes:)

Question 4

clear angiogram 2013 before 
heart valve surgery.how many yrs is angiogram good for before plaque build up?
healthyish diet.grandmother lived to 72 had atherosclerosis and mother had stroke from carotid artery at 74.my bmi 22.9 good bp. non smoker?

Accepted Answer

: I don’t think anyone knows how long it takes plaque to develop. The most important thing thing is what you do: watching your cholesterol (diet); blood pressure; exercise; monitoring your blood sugar. All of those things will help to keep your blood vessels clean. Good luck

Question 5

at what age should a person first be checked for plaque in the arteries? dont tell me "only if you have symptoms" i don't take any chances. what age?

Accepted Answer

It's not so simple: The problem is that there is no proved, effective test to check for plaque in the absence of symptoms. Controversial methods include "calcium scanning", ultrasound, and others, but most experts consider them unreliable. Even if abnormal, without symptoms usually there is no treatment except what should be done anyway (no smoking, exercise, weight and BP control, drug Rx if abnormal lipids, etc).

Question 6

hi doctors, how long does plaque in the arteries take to progress into a complete blockage, when minimal now. 60 y/o male?

Accepted Answer

Many factors affect: This is highly variable. The natural course is for it to slowly progress but the odds are it will never progress to complete blockage and it could stay stable or even regress and disappear. Many factors determine how quickly it progresses or regresses: your blood pressure, diet, activity level, stress, exposure to toxins, genetics etc. See http://tinyurl.com/axtab4d and http://tinyurl.com/9x3n594

Question 7

how can  omega-3 help dissolve plaque in the arteries?

Accepted Answer

Fish oil: Refer to this wiki for lots of information on fish oil:

http://en.Wikipedia.Org/wiki/fish_oil.

Question 8

can you have a heart attack without high cholesterol or high blood pressure? can you have buildup of plaque in the arteries without these two symptoms? is their a way to screen for heart attack before they happen?

Accepted Answer

: One still can get coronary artery plaque despite normal BP &amp; lipid profile. We see this in youngish women,smokers,strong family history of heart attacks.males over 45.   A coronary artery calcium score and maximal treadmill stress test screen for coronary artery disease.

Question 9

can a heart scan ct calcium score show the presence of soft plaque in the arteries. if not, can an ct angiogram sans catheter do the job?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Soft plaque does contain calcium, so it will elevate the calcium score. CTA can estimate (key word: estimate) the degree of blockage. Researchers have tried to make predictive instruments that incorporate calcium scores. Check this one out sponsored by the NIH: http://www.mesa-nhlbi.org/Calcium/ArterialAge.aspx

Question 10

what is plaque buildup in arteries?

Accepted Answer

Atherosclerosis: Narrowing or 'hardening of the arteries' seems like the body's way of planned obsolescence--or complete wearing out.  Over time our arteries become more narrow and certain conditions speed up the process: smoking, diabetes (and overweight/metabolic syndrome), hi blood pressure, and hi cholesterol.  Exercise can slow down the process.  Plaque build up in arteries leads to heart attack and strokes.

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Doctor answers about:

Can plaque in the arteries be reversed

A member asked:

In atherosclerosis, plaque builds up in the arteries occluding the lumen.how would this affect bp?

A member asked:

Is bloodpressure of 180/120 for one or two month is enough to develop decent amount of atherosclerosis plaque in the arteries?

A member asked:

Does a normal ct calcium score scan eliminate possibility of atherosclerosis plaque build up in arteries?

A member asked:

Clear angiogram 2013 before heart valve surgery.how many yrs is angiogram good for before plaque build up? healthyish diet.grandmother lived to 72 had atherosclerosis and mother had stroke from carotid artery at 74.my bmi 22.9 good bp. non smoker?

A member asked:

At what age should a person first be checked for plaque in the arteries? dont tell me "only if you have symptoms" i don't take any chances. what age?

A member asked:

Hi doctors, how long does plaque in the arteries take to progress into a complete blockage, when minimal now. 60 y/o male?

A member asked:

How can omega-3 help dissolve plaque in the arteries?

A member asked:

Can you have a heart attack without high cholesterol or high blood pressure? can you have buildup of plaque in the arteries without these two symptoms? is their a way to screen for heart attack before they happen?

A member asked:

Can a heart scan ct calcium score show the presence of soft plaque in the arteries. if not, can an ct angiogram sans catheter do the job?

A member asked:

What is plaque buildup in arteries?

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