FIBROUS PLAQUES

SYMPTOMS

The majority of fibrous plaque symptoms don’t appear until a blockage. Typical signs include:

• Pain in your arm, leg, or other areas
• Chest pain
• Fatigue
• Cramping or pain in the buttocks
• Confusion
• Breathing problems
• Muscle weakness
• Loss of sensory and motor function

Additionally, it’s critical to understand the signs of a stroke and heart attack. These two conditions, which can both be caused by fibrous plaque, need to be treated right away.

Signs of a heart attack

• Stomach pain
• Chest discomfort or pain
• Breathing issues
• Lightheadedness
• Sweating
• Vomiting or nausea
• Pain in arms, back, jaw, and neck

Signs of a stroke

• Problem speaking
• Numbness or weakness in the limbs or face
• Loss of balance
• Severe headache
• Vision issues

DIAGNOSIS

If you experience fibrous plaque symptoms, your physician will do a physical examination. They will look for:

• Aneurysm
• Weakened pulse
• Slow wound healing

If your doctor suspects you may have fibrous plaque, they will schedule more tests.

Tests may include:

• Doppler ultrasound
• Blood test
• Stress test
• Magnetic resonance angiography
• ECG
• Ankle-brachial index
• Cardiac angiogram

TREATMENT

Your current lifestyle needs to be changed in order to reduce the quantity of cholesterol and fat you consume if you have fibrous plaque. Increased activity can help your heart and blood vessels function better.

You might also require other medical interventions, such as:

• Medications. Beta-blockers, ACE, and antiplatelet medications may all fall under this category.
• Surgery. This is needed if the symptoms are severe.