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Arterial insufficiency
Arterial insufficiency is any condition that slows or stops the flow of blood through your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to other places in your body.
Causes
One of the most common causes of arterial insufficiency is atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries." Fatty material (called plaque) builds up on the walls of your arteries. This causes them to become narrow and stiff. As a result, it is hard for blood to flow through your arteries.
Atherosclerosis
Hardening of the arteries, also called atherosclerosis, occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. These ...
Blood flow may be suddenly stopped due to a blood clot . Clots can form on the plaque or travel from another place in the heart or artery (also called embolus).
Blood clot
Arterial embolism is a sudden interruption of blood flow to an organ or body part due to a clot (embolus) that has come from another part of the body...
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on where your arteries become narrowed:
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If it affects your heart arteries, you may have
chest pain
or a
heart attack
.
Chest pain
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleHeart attack
Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. The coronary arteries bring blood and oxygen to the heart. ...
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If it affects your brain arteries, you may have a
stroke
.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...
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If it affects the arteries that bring blood to your legs, you may have frequent
leg cramping when you walk
.
Leg cramping when you walk
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition of the blood vessels that supply the legs and feet. It leads to narrowing and hardening of the arteri...
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If it affects the arteries in your belly area, you may have
pain after you eat
.
Pain after you eat
Mesenteric artery ischemia occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage of one or more of the three major arteries that supply the small and large in...
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References
Hansson GK, Hamsten A. Atherosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 70.
Libby P. The vascular biology of atherosclerosis. In: Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 41.
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Arteries of the brain - illustration
The internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries supply blood to the brain.
Arteries of the brain
illustration
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Developmental process of atherosclerosis - illustration
The development of arterial atherosclerosis may occur when deposits of cholesterol and plaque accumulate at a tear in the inner lining of an artery. As the deposits harden and occlude the arterial lumen, blood flow to distant tissues decreases and a clot may become lodged, completely blocking the artery.
Developmental process of atherosclerosis
illustration
-
Arteries of the brain - illustration
The internal carotid arteries and the vertebral arteries supply blood to the brain.
Arteries of the brain
illustration
-
Developmental process of atherosclerosis - illustration
The development of arterial atherosclerosis may occur when deposits of cholesterol and plaque accumulate at a tear in the inner lining of an artery. As the deposits harden and occlude the arterial lumen, blood flow to distant tissues decreases and a clot may become lodged, completely blocking the artery.
Developmental process of atherosclerosis
illustration
Review Date: 11/1/2015
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
