A buildup of calcium and cholesterol forming plaque in a blood vessel may cause which condition?

The buildup of calcium and cholesterol forming plaque in a blood vessel is primarily associated with a condition known as atherosclerosis. This condition leads to the narrowing and hardening of arteries, which can ultimately affect blood flow. When the plaque ruptures or severely narrows a coronary artery, it can lead to acute coronary syndrome.

Acute coronary syndrome encompasses a range of conditions, including unstable angina and myocardial infarction (heart attack), characterized by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. This is a direct consequence of the plaque's impact on the blood vessels, making this option the most relevant in the context provided.

Heart failure, on the other hand, is a condition that results from various causes, including chronic ischemia (reduced blood flow) over time, but it is not directly caused by plaque buildup in the moment that acute coronary syndrome occurs. Aortic dissection is related to a tear in the aorta itself and is not specifically linked to plaque formation in coronary arteries. Arrhythmia refers to abnormal heart rhythms, which can arise from various pathologies but is also not a direct result of plaque buildup.

Thus, the association of plaque in blood vessels leading to issues with coronary perfusion and the subsequent risk of acute coronary syndrome makes that