Central to the arterial blockage is the formation of the atherosclerosis plaque, which is caused by deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances building up on the lining of an artery.

If the plaque grows large enough, it can reduce the blood that flows through the artery, but what is more dangerous is the turbulent blood flow created by the plaque which cuts into inner lining of the artery and causes blood cuts. The blood clots can travel to another part of the body and obstract the blood flow in that part of the body e.g the brain.