How long does it take a blockage to occur?

[Roscoe969]

I had a heart catherization done in Sept. 2003. I had good results, I was told I had no blockages/my arteries were clear. How long does it take for atherosclerosis to occur? Here we are in 2008, is it possible for me to have any atherosclerosis since 2003? I have some risk factors, those being overweight, high blood pressure and family history of heart disease on my father's side. I'm a 48 year old male. I take Norvasc and Toporol XL for my blood pressure.

[Mornimer]

I had a heart cath done in 1996 and had no blockage. In 2004 I had another heart cath done by same doctor and was told I had a 80% blockage and a 75% blockage and had double bypass surgery to correct problem. So apparently plaque can built pretty quickly

[Flycaster305]

Blockages can occur very quickly.  Blood clots form when plaque erupts in an artery, I suppose it blocks within hours, but I don't know the timeline.  I do know that I have had to have stents installed every few months during the past two years, even though I stay active, have perfect cholesterol control, and pay very close attention to what I eat, control my weight, etc.  The tip-off for me that I am getting another blockage is becoming short of breath when exercising and chest pain.  

[vienna13]

   I do not have an answer, but have some thoughts.

    I dare to hope you are not a smoker. How much overweight?
    Start exercising more today then you did yesterday and more tomorrow as you do today.....smoking, fats ,bacon and cheeseburgers are enemies number one..if you don’t live on them, you don’t even need to  worry to have an other catherization.....

.. family history of heart disease often means people walk on the same roads like their family did namely :smoking, being overweight exercise when they walk to their car and get up from the kitchen chair to sit on the couch...,,,,,I didn’t mean you,:) just general, don’t want to step on toes as did to  'piglet' (user name) the other day by dare to do a negative remark about her smoking. Well I was/ is/ will be hard on smokers, and on a health board that is more then accurate ....I just not willing to be "polite" about it.

I had my catherization in 2003...It doesn’t  even go trough my head I might need an other, or if I might have a  blockage I just know I cant have. Good luck to you .