{"id":18302,"date":"2026-08-10T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.biolabeco.com.br\/?p=18302"},"modified":"2026-08-12T14:37:42","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T17:37:42","slug":"atherosclerosis-what-is-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.biolabeco.com.br\/en\/blog\/saude-cardiovascular\/aterosclerose-o-que-e\/","title":{"rendered":"Atherosclerosis: What It Is, How It Develops, and Why Understanding This Condition Can Change the Way You Take Care of Your Heart"},"content":{"rendered":"

In Brazil, cardiovascular diseases account for about 30% of all deaths recorded each year, according to the Brazilian Society of Cardiology. Behind many of these deaths lies a silent process that begins decades before the first symptom appears: the gradual buildup of fatty plaques on the inner walls of the arteries. This process has a name, a mechanism well-described by science, and a direct link to factors that millions of Brazilians are already familiar with, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The problem is that many people only hear about atherosclerosis when they\u2019re already facing a serious consequence, such as a heart attack or a stroke. Up to that point, the condition progresses painlessly, without any visible warning signs, and often without the patient realizing that their routine tests had already indicated a risk. Why is something so common and so dangerous still so poorly understood outside of doctors\u2019 offices?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article explains what atherosclerosis is, how it forms inside the arteries, what factors accelerate its progression, and how it is linked to the most feared cardiovascular events. Rather than simply translating medical terminology, the goal is to provide a clear roadmap so you can understand what\u2019s happening in your body and what you can do in your daily life to reduce this risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Atherosclerosis and How Does It Develop?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive disease in which plaques of fat, calcium, and other substances build up on the inner walls of the arteries, causing these blood vessels to become narrower and stiffer over time. The result is a reduction in blood flow to the organs, including the heart and brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process begins with dysfunction of the endothelium\u2014the innermost layer of the artery\u2014associated with the accumulation of cholesterol in the vessel wall. This dysfunction is exacerbated by factors such as high blood pressure, excess LDL cholesterol in the blood, smoking, or high glucose levels. In this scenario, LDL particles cross the endothelium through a process called transcytosis and become trapped in the intima of the artery, where they trigger a local inflammatory response.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Immune system cells called macrophages take up this modified LDL\u2014such as oxidized LDL\u2014via specific receptors. The accumulation of lipids in these cells leads to the formation of so-called foam cells, which contribute to the development of fatty streaks and, later, atherosclerotic plaques. Over time, these streaks evolve into more complex plaques, composed of fat, fibrous tissue, and calcium deposits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This process doesn't happen overnight. Autopsy studies have already identified fatty streaks in the arteries of adolescents and young adults, long before any symptoms appear. Atherosclerosis can take decades to cause noticeable symptoms, which explains why many people only discover the condition during a medical emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and other factors that accelerate the process<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While atherosclerosis is a slow process, certain factors act as accelerators. The more of these factors that are present at the same time, the faster plaque accumulates and the sooner symptoms may appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High LDL cholesterol<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

LDL cholesterol is often called \u201cbad cholesterol\u201d because, when present in excess, it builds up on the walls of the arteries and directly contributes to plaque formation. Keeping LDL within the levels recommended by your doctor is an important and effective way to slow the progression of atherosclerosis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High blood pressure<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

High blood pressure exerts excessive force against the walls of blood vessels, causing microlesions in the endothelium. These lesions facilitate the entry of cholesterol and trigger the inflammatory process. People who have both high blood pressure and high cholesterol at the same time are at greater cardiovascular risk than those with either condition alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other relevant factors<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n