Healthy arteries are soft, flexible, and elastic, allowing them to expand and contract with each heartbeat to manage blood flow and pressure. However, uncontrolled high cholesterol initiates a process that robs them of this vital flexibility, turning them into stiff, hardened pipes. This unseen hardening, a core feature of atherosclerosis, is a major contributor to cardiovascular disease.
The process begins when LDL cholesterol deposits into the artery walls, triggering inflammation. As part of the plaque formation process, calcium is also deposited within the plaque. Over time, this calcification makes the plaque hard and brittle, and the artery wall around it loses its natural elasticity.
This stiffening of the arteries has serious consequences. First, it contributes to high blood pressure. When arteries can no longer expand to accommodate the surge of blood from the heart, the pressure within the system rises. This forces the heart to work harder, leading to strain and potential damage over the long term.
Second, hardened arteries are more prone to damage. The inflexible vessel walls can crack or shear, increasing the risk of plaque rupture and the formation of dangerous blood clots. The loss of flexibility makes the entire vascular system more fragile and susceptible to catastrophic failure.
Preventing this unseen hardening requires lifelong management of cholesterol. By keeping LDL levels low, you reduce the primary material used to build these artery-stiffening plaques. A diet rich in antioxidants from fruits and vegetables, regular exercise that promotes good circulation, and medical treatment when needed are all essential to help your arteries retain their youthful flexibility and function.