Maintaining arterial health is a significant aspect of overall well-being, yet many people often confuse two distinct processes that affect arteries: plaque buildup and calcification. While both phenomena relate to changes within the arterial walls, they represent different stages and compositions of arterial disease. Understanding these differences is important for grasping their respective impacts on the cardiovascular system.
What Is Arterial Plaque?
Arterial plaque, specifically atherosclerotic plaque, is a substance that accumulates on the inner lining of arteries. It is composed of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, and fibrin. In its initial stages, this plaque is often a soft, waxy deposit.
Plaque formation begins with damage to the artery’s inner lining, caused by factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking. This damage allows cholesterol to penetrate the arterial wall, triggering an inflammatory response. Over time, these materials accumulate, forming raised lesions.
What Is Arterial Calcification?
Arterial calcification refers to the hardening or stiffening of arterial walls due to calcium mineral deposition. Calcium accumulates within arterial tissue, transforming it from a flexible structure into a more rigid one. While calcium is found within some arterial plaques, calcification specifically denotes the artery’s hardening.
This hardening can occur in different parts of the arterial wall, including the tunica media (middle layer) and within existing atherosclerotic plaques. Calcium deposits form hard crystals, leading to a loss of arterial elasticity. This stiffness is often referred to as “hardening of the arteries.”
How Plaque and Calcification Are Related
Plaque and calcification are not the same, but they are closely linked in the progression of arterial disease. Calcification frequently occurs within pre-existing arterial plaque as the disease advances. Initially, plaque may be soft and unstable, consisting of fatty deposits and inflammatory cells.
Over time, as plaque matures, it can accumulate calcium. This calcium deposition transforms soft plaque into a harder, calcified form. Calcification makes the plaque more stable and rigid, akin to a hard shell. The presence of calcified plaque is a clinical indicator of atherosclerosis, and its amount can reflect the extent of the underlying atherosclerosis.
Impact on Health and How to Address It
Arterial plaque buildup narrows arteries and restricts blood flow. This reduced blood flow deprives organs and tissues of oxygen and nutrients, leading to serious cardiovascular events. In coronary arteries, plaque can cause chest pain; if it ruptures, it can lead to a blood clot that blocks the artery, resulting in a heart attack.
Arterial calcification compromises cardiovascular health by contributing to arterial stiffness. Stiff arteries are less able to expand and contract, increasing blood pressure and straining the heart. This rigidity elevates the risk for cardiovascular issues.
Addressing plaque and calcification involves managing risk factors. Lifestyle adjustments, such as a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, combined with regular physical activity, can slow arterial changes. Managing conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes is also important to reduce further plaque buildup and calcification.