As plaque builds and the artery walls narrow, blood flow to the body is limited and can become blocked completely. When blood flow from arteries going to the heart is limited, you may experience chest pain or shortness of breath. If those arteries become completely blocked, the heart will be deprived of blood and oxygen, resulting in a heart attack.
A similar series of events occur elsewhere in the body. For instance, when arteries leading to the brain are blocked, a stroke can occur. Diminished blood flow in arteries near the extremities results in peripheral artery disease (PAD).