atherosclerosis

• Atherosclerosis is a disease that leads to CHD and strokes.
• Fatty deposits (atheroma) can block the artery directly or increase the chance of having a blood clot (thrombosis) in atherosclerosis.
• Endothelial tissue lines the inside of blood vessels in atherosclerosis.
• These cells are long and flat and lie in the direction of blood flow, allowing the blood to flow easily across them.
• Arteries and veins are made up of the same type of tissues (connective and elastic), but have different amounts of this tissues.
• Veins have thicker tissues to prevent the blood vessel from collapsing.
• Veins also have a middle layer of muscle tissue to maintain blood pressure.
• Capillaries are only made of endothelial tissue and are only one cell thick, allowing diffusion to occur more quickly as the pathway is shorter.
• Damage to the endothelial tissue is the disease that leads to atherosclerosis.
• In atherosclerosis, LDL (low density lipoproteins) build up in the artery wall, causing the artery to become inflamed.
• WBC move to the area, and along with LDL and other substances, lead to plaque formation.
• Plaque formation narrows the artery, causing it to lose elasticity and raise blood pressure.
• This damage to the endothelial tissue begins the cycle of atherosclerosis.
• There are many risk factors that can cause damage to the endothelial tissue, including Carbon Monoxide and high blood pressure.
• Smoking can lead to atherosclerosis due to the toxic chemicals contained in cigarettes and the increase in blood pressure and heart rate they cause.