The slow buildup of plaque in the arteries over time is a progressive
disease called atherosclerosis. It occurs when plaque forms inside the walls
of your arteries. One major cause is a high level of LDL (bad) cholesterol.
(For illustrative purposes; represents potential long term plaque buildup in the artery.)
For many of us, this plaque starts building up in our arteries in early
adulthood and gets worse over time. While LDL (bad) cholesterol is a
major health factor, here are a few other factors that can contribute
to plaque buildup.
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Diabetes
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Overweight/obesity
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A family history of early heart disease
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High blood pressure
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Smoking
Should you be concerned?
If you or a loved one has high cholesterol, plaque buildup may be something to be concerned about. Other health factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, a family history of early heart disease, smoking, or being overweight, also play a role in plaque buildup.
Find out if you have health factors that can contribute to plaque buildup. Talk with your doctor about it and ask if CRESTOR® (rosuvastatin calcium) is right for you.
In the meantime, get more information on
choosing a healthy diet.