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Atherosclerosis

What is atherosclerosis?

Why is atherosclerosis dangerous?

Vascular Surgery

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a condition that occurs when plaque builds up within the arteries, causing narrowing (stenosis) and hardening of the arteries.

A number of factors may lead to atherosclerosis, including:

  • Aging (people over 50 are at increased risk of developing the disease)
  • Gender (men have a greater risk than women)
  • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • High blood cholesterol
  • Obesity

Back to Top Why is atherosclerosis dangerous?

If not properly diagnosed and treated, atherosclerosis can lead to a number of life-threatening conditions, including:

  1. Carotid Artery Disease, or plaque buildup within the main arteries of the neck inhibiting the blood supply to the brain
  2. Peripheral Artery Disease, or plaque buildup within the arteries of the arm or leg, causing claudication (leg pain) and increasing the risk of gangrene and limb loss. Also known as peripheral arterial occlusive disease or lower extremity arterial disease
  3. Stroke, or brain attack caused by disrupted (blocked) blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain.
  4. Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia, or narrowing and blockage of the arteries that supply the small and large intestines.
  5. Lower Leg Ulcers, or nonhealing wounds on the lower legs, feet, or tips of the toes.

How is atherosclerosis diagnosed and treated?
Diagnostic tests and treatment methods for atherosclerosis vary according to the related condition (above).

Back to Top Our Atherosclerosis Specialists

NYU Langone Medical Center
530 First Avenue
Arnold and Marie Schwartz Health Care Center (HCC)
Suite 6F
New York, NY 10016

Take the H elevators to the 6th floor. Our offices are at the end of the hall.

Phone: (212) 263-7311 (option 3, listen for the appropriate prompt)

Fax: (212) 263-7722

Mark A. Adelman, M.D.
Chief of Vascular Surgery

Neal Cayne, M.D.
Director of the NYU Endovascular Surgery Program

Glenn R. Jacobowitz, M.D.
Vice Chief of the NYU Division of Vascular Surgery / Director of Vascular Surgical Services at Tisch Hospital

Lowell S. Kabnick, M.D.
Director of the NYU Vein Center

Patrick J. Lamparello, M.D.
Vice-Chair of Vascular Surgery / Director of the Vascular Surgery Fellowship Program

Thomas Maldonado, M.D.
Chief of Vascular Surgery, Bellevue Hospital

Firas F. Mussa, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Surgery at the NYU School of Medicine

Thomas S. Riles, M.D.
Associate Dean for Medical Education and Technology / Frank C. Spencer Professor of Surgery

Caron Rockman, M.D.
Director of Medical Education and the Director of Clinical Research for the NYU Division of Vascular Surgery

Frank J. Veith, M.D.
The First U.S. Surgeon to Perform an Endovascular Aneurysm Repair