Arterial plaque is one of the causes of heart attacks, a doctor’s warning

In modern medicine, it is now clear that not all plaques are the same, and knowing this difference can be the key to saving lives.

Sudden chest pain, discomfort or sudden heart attack is often behind a problem that we do not understand any of the early signs. The term that doctors repeatedly mention is plaque accumulation in the arteries. In modern medicine, it is now clear that not all plaques are the same, and knowing this difference can be the key to saving lives.

Plaque is a layer of fat, cholesterol and other substances that accumulate inside the arteries. Over time, it narrows the arteries and obstructs blood flow. This can result in heart disease, stroke or sudden heart attack. However, surprisingly, there are two types of this plaque, and each has a different risk.
Soft plaque

Board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. According to Jeremy London, soft plaque is the most dangerous type of plaque. It is mainly fatty, inflamed and unstable. Dr. London says that this type of plaque can rupture at any time and cause a sudden blood clot, causing a heart attack. The scariest thing is that in many cases it happens without any prior warning. That is why even young or seemingly healthy people sometimes suffer from sudden heart attacks.
Hard plaque: a signal of long-term risk

On the other hand, hard plaque, also called calcified plaque, is relatively stable. It is the result of old plaque that has accumulated in the arteries for a long time. As Dr. London explains, hard plaque usually does not rupture suddenly. However, it indicates that there has been a long-term problem of atherosclerosis, or fat accumulation, in the arteries. That is, it is a strong warning sign of future heart disease risk.

The main difference between these two types of plaque is—

Soft plaque indicates short-term and immediate danger

Hard plaque indicates long-term heart disease risk

In the words of Dr. London, calcium deposits in the arteries mean that the heart disease process has been going on for a long time. The higher the amount of calcium, the higher the chance of suffering from a heart attack, whether today or in the future.

According to experts, it is important to follow the rules of heart disease. Knowing what type of plaque is accumulating in the arteries, it is possible to fix everything in life, diet and treatment in advance. Regular health check-ups, healthy diet, exercise and doctor's advice mean it is possible to stay healthy.

Source: Hindustan Times