Unstable Plaque Cholesterol is a major ingredient of the plaque that builds up in the coronary arteries and causes heart disease, so it is important to understand how plaques develop.
Excess cholesterol is deposited in the artery walls as it travels through the bloodstream.
It is this collection of cholesterol covered by a scar that is called plaque. The plaque buildup narrows the space in the coronary arteries through which blood can flow, decreasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the heart. If not enough oxygen- carrying blood can pass through the narrowed arteries to reach the heart muscle, the heart may respond with a pain called angina. The pain usually happens with exercise when the heart needs more oxygen. It is typically felt in the chest or sometimes in other places like the left arm and shoulder.