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How plaque forms

Plaque builds quietly over decades. It starts when LDL particles squeeze under the lining of an artery and get stuck.

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LDL slips into the artery wall

The more LDL particles in the blood, the more squeeze under the artery lining and get stuck. Every particle counts, so ApoB, a count of particles, predicts risk so well.

Pick a stage. Tap anything in the artery to learn what it is; tap a brown (oxidized) LDL to call in an immune cell.

Key takeaways

  1. 1

    The more LDL particles in your blood, the more squeeze under the artery lining and get stuck. Every particle counts.

  2. 2

    Trapped LDL gets damaged (oxidized). Immune cells move in, swallow it, and swell into foam cells, and plaque begins.

  3. 3

    Plaque tracks how high your LDL has been and for how long. It usually grows for years while you feel fine.

Go deeper

▸The slow squeeze: angina

Some plaques grow big and stable under a thick cap. At rest enough blood gets through. During exercise the heart needs more than the narrowed artery can deliver, so you feel chest pressure that eases with rest. Doctors call this angina.

▸The sudden block: heart attack

Many heart attacks start at plaques that weren't narrowing the artery much. A thin cap over a soft core can tear. Platelets rush in, a clot forms within minutes, and blood stops.

Chest pain or pressure, pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back, shortness of breath, or a cold sweat can be signs of a heart attack. Call 911 right away.

▸Why lowering LDL helps

Fewer particles in the blood means fewer slipping into the wall. Lower ApoB slows plaque growth and helps keep caps thick.

What people experienced

One person's experience isn't a prediction of yours.

Sources

Not medical advice. This exhibit is general education to help you understand your condition and talk with your clinician. It doesn't tell you what to take or change. If you have chest pain or other signs of a heart attack or stroke, call 911.

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