Atherosclerosis is a potentially serious condition where arteries become clogged with fatty substances called plaques, or atheroma.

These plaques cause the arteries to harden and narrow, restricting the blood flow and oxygen supply to vital organs, and increasing the risk of blood clots that could potentially block the flow of blood to the heart or brain.

Atherosclerosis does not tend to have any symptoms at first and many people may be unaware they have it, but it can eventually cause life-threatening problems, such as heart attacks and strokes if it gets worse.

But the condition is preventable with a healthy lifestyle, and treatment can help reduce the risk of serious issues happening.

Atherosclerosis can potentially lead to a number of serious conditions, such as stroke or ischemic heart disease.

Arteriosclerosis can provoke such conditions as:

• coronary heart disease – the main arteries that supply your heart (the coronary arteries) become clogged with plaques;

• angina – short periods of tight, dull, or heavy chest pain caused by coronary heart disease, which may precede a heart attack;

• heart attacks – where the blood supply to your heart is blocked, causing sudden crushing or indigestion-like chest pain that can radiate to nearby areas, as well as shortness of breath and dizziness;

• strokes – where the blood supply to your brain is interrupted, causing the face to droop to 1 side, weakness on 1 side of the body, and slurred speech;

• transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) – where there are temporary symptoms of a stroke;

• peripheral arterial disease – where the blood supply to your legs is blocked, causing leg pain when walking.