What Causes Clogged Arteries?
Medically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MD
The most common cause of clogged arteries is atherosclerosis, which is plaque buildup in the arteries. Lifestyle factors, such as diet and smoking, can lead to atherosclerosis. Genetic factors, such as a predisposition to high cholesterol levels, also raise the risk for plaque to cause clogged arteries.
Blockages in the arteries of the heart are among the most serious because they can cause heart attacks. Blockages in the arteries of the brain or neck can cause strokes. However, arterial blockages can strike anywhere. The symptoms of clogged arteries depend on where the blockage occurs and which body part is affected.
This article explains the causes of clogged arteries, the symptoms of the conditions to which they contribute, and how the blockages are diagnosed and treated. It also offers tips on how to prevent clogged arteries.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
What Causes Clogged Arteries?
Clogged arteries are caused by a buildup of plaque in your arteries. Plaque is usually made up of a few substances, including minerals like calcium, or fats and cholesterol. High cholesterol levels can lead to this buildup of plaques.
In some cases, high cholesterol is genetic, but it is mostly linked to diet and lifestyle choices including your level of exercise, whether you smoke, and if you are overweight.
Related: How Smoking Affects Your Cholesterol and Heart
What Foods Cause Clogged Arteries?
Eating a diet high in saturated fats, trans fats, and triglycerides is linked to an increased risk of atherosclerosis.
Saturated fats are the type of fat in animal-based foods that is solid at room temperature, while trans fats are processed vegetable oils that are also solid at room temperature. Triglycerides are a type of fat that can build up in arteries.
Among foods that contribute to clogged arteries are:
Butter, ghee, suet, lard, coconut oil, and palm oil
Fatty cuts of red meat
Whole milk and cream
Ice cream and milkshakes
Packaged baked goods like cakes, brownies, and pastries
Processed meat like sausages. bacon. salami, and chorizo
Deep-fried foods, including french fries and fried chicken
Are All Red Meats and Dairy Bad for You?
While the excessive intake of saturated fat can increase the risk of atherosclerosis, red meat and dairy on their own are not "bad" for your arteries.
While whole milk is linked to an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), high-fat yogurt is not and cheese is associated with a decreased risk.
Similarly, the amount of saturated fat in a piece of red meat plays a more important role in your risk of CAD than red meat itself (which is why processed meats like sausages are so bad for you).
Related: Keto and Cholesterol: Low Carb Diet and Heart Health
Symptoms of Clogged Arteries
Clogged arteries are caused by atherosclerosis, which develops over time as plaques formed from fats, minerals, cholesterol, and more build up inside the walls of your arteries.
You may also notice that different parts of your body begin to suffer from a reduced supply of oxygenated blood, especially if the artery becomes completely clogged. Your symptoms depend on where the blockage occurs and what part of your body receives a reduced blood supply.
Symptoms of blocked or clogged arteries can include:
Dizziness
Chest pain
Lower back pain
Cold hands or feet
Pain or numbness in your legs, hands, or feet
Discoloration of the skin in the affected area
Hair loss
Decreased or absent pulses, especially in the feet
Sores or ulcers that won't heal
Warning Signs of Clogged Arteries
In some cases, a clogged artery can cause serious symptoms and require emergency care. This primarily applies when the clogged artery is one that is supplying blood to a vital organ like the brain or heart.
Symptoms that can signal a medical emergency include:
Sudden pain in the arm or back
Shortness of breath
A racing heartbeat
Sweating
Asymmetric facial features, like a drooped smile
Sudden confusion or mental changes
Difficulty speaking or swallowing
Weakness, especially on one side of the body
Loss of consciousness
Vision changes
When to Seek Immediate Medical Care
Call 911 or seek emergency medical care immediately if you or someone you are with has chest pain, shortness of breath, trouble speaking, loss of consciousness, or other serious symptoms of heart attack or stroke.
Related: How High Cholesterol Levels Increase Stroke Risk
Risk Factors for Clogged Arteries
A diet that is high in fats and cholesterol is just one of the things that can contribute to a buildup of plaques and clogged arteries.
Other risk factors for clogged arteries can include:
Cigarette smoking
Heavy alcohol consumption
Lack of exercise
Obesity
Genetic or family history of high cholesterol
Chronic infections
LDL vs. HDL: What's the Difference?
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is generally considered the "good" cholesterol because it helps to move LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, out of the bloodstream and into the liver for processing. LDL is the cholesterol most responsible for causing clogged arteries. It's considered high beginning at levels of 130 to 159 milligrams per deciliter.
Related: Lower "Bad" LDL Cholesterol While Raising "Good" HDL Cholesterol
How Are Clogged Arteries Diagnosed?
Diagnosing arterial problems may begin with your primary care doctor, but if a blockage is suspected, you will most likely be referred to a cardiologist or vascular specialist.
Who you see depends a lot on where the blockage is and what problems it is causing. For example, if you have a blockage in an artery that feeds your brain, you may also need to see a neurologist.
Your diagnosis will begin with a physical exam, as well as a review of your personal and family medical history. Additional testing may be done to pinpoint the location and degree of the blockage. Testing can include:
Cardiac catheterization, in which your doctor puts a very small, flexible, hollow tube called a catheter into a blood vessel in the groin, arm, or neck and threads it through the blood vessel into the heart
Ultrasound
Nuclear scans like multiple gated acquisition (MUGA) scans
Blood pressure measurements
Perfusion scans
Blood tests
These tests can be used to measure the amount of fats and cholesterol in your blood, how much resistance your heart faces when pumping blood (blood pressure), how well oxygen-rich blood is reaching certain parts of the body, and the degree of damage to areas of the body where there is a clogged artery.
Treating Clogged Arteries
Treating clogged arteries should be done with a holistic approach. Your doctor will first address the problems that led to the clogged artery. Lifestyle changes are key, and may include:
Dietary changes
Regular exercise
Blood pressure management
Medications
Medications may be used to help you manage conditions that can cause clogged arteries, including:
Cholesterol medications like statins
Medications to control blood pressure like beta blockers
Medications to control diabetes such as insulin
You may also be prescribed medications like anticoagulants or antiplatelets to help prevent complications of clogged arteries.
Learn More: Overview of the Types of Insulin
Specialist Procedures
If the blockage is more severe, a surgeon may need to help clear the artery mechanically. This can be done in several ways, usually with a minimally invasive technique that involves a catheter fed into the vessel. Some techniques to clear a clogged artery include:
Balloon angioplasty, where a small balloon is inflated in the artery to open the blocked area
Laser angioplasty, where the clog is removed with a laser that vaporizes the blockage
Atherectomy, where tiny amounts of the blockage are shaved off to open the vessel
Stent placement, where tiny pieces of mesh coil are inserted to open the artery and improve blood flow
In more severe cases, you may have to undergo bypass surgery, where a piece of a vessel is taken from one part of the body and transplanted to replace the damaged or blocked area.
Complications of Clogged Arteries
The most concerning complications of clogged arteries are heart attack and stroke. A heart attack can occur when there is blockage in the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart. When a blockage affects the brain, this is called an ischemic stroke. This type of stroke can be treated effectively with strong blood thinners.
Other complications include ischemia, an inadequate blood supply to an organ or body part. It can affect any part of the body. Ischemia occurs whenever oxygen is cut off from an area of the body, and tissues tend to become damaged quickly without oxygen.
Arterial blockages can also lead to blood clots, caused by platelets and other blood cells that collect around the blocked, narrowed area. As clots and ischemia affect different areas of the body, they can cause other problems like kidney and liver problems, poor wound healing, and even digestive problems.
Related: What Are the Treatment Options for Angina?
Prevention and Management of Clogged Arteries
The key to keeping your arteries clear of blockages is to eat a low-fat diet and exercise regularly. Plant-based diets have even been shown to help reverse coronary artery disease in some people.
You also need to make sure you manage other chronic conditions that may increase your risk of developing atherosclerosis, such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
It is difficult to clear a clogged artery naturally, but you can help slow and potentially reverse some plaque buildup by adopting a healthy lifestyle and following a heart-healthy diet.
Learn More:
Summary
Clogged arteries occur when plaques, which are made up of fat, cholesterol, and other substances, build up in your artery walls and cause your arteries to narrow. This blockage reduces blood flow to your organs and tissues. Clogged arteries in general can lead to different health issues depending on where they occur. Prevention through a healthy lifestyle is usually the best defense against clogged arteries.
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