Pathology of CVD

• Atherosclerosis


  Accumulation of fatty materials
• Thrombosis


  The formation of a clot (thrombus)
• Peripheral vascular disorders


  Narrowing of arteries due to atherosclerosis of arteries other than those of the heart and brain
• Atheroma formation


  1. Cholesterol, fibrous material, calcium accumulate beneath the endothelium

  2. Atheroma ruptures and damages the endothelium

  3. Clotting factors are released

  4. Thrombus forms to seal the wound
• Atherosclerosis


  • Artery thickens and loses elasticity
  • Diameter of the lumen decreases, restricting blood flow and increasing blood pressure
• Atherosclerosis


  Root cause of various cardiovascular diseases (CVD) - aging, heart attack, stroke and peripheral vascular disease
• Embolus


  Thrombus breaks loose and travels through the bloodstream until it blocks a blood vessel
• Thrombosis


  1. Endothelium damaged

  2. Clotting factors released

  3. Prothrombin converted to thrombin

  4. Thrombin causes fibrinogen to form fibrin threads

  5. Fibrin forms a clot
• Peripheral vascular disease


  • Arteries to the legs most commonly affected
  • Pain experienced in leg muscles due to limited blood supply
  • Deep vein thrombosis can result in pulmonary embolism
• Cholesterol


  • Type of lipid found in cell membranes, used to make hormones
  • Synthesised by all cells, 25% in liver
  • LDL transports cholesterol to body cells, HDL transports excess cholesterol to liver
• Higher ratio of HDL to LDL


  Results in lower blood cholesterol and reduced chance of atherosclerosis
• Ways to change HDL:LDL ratios

  • Regular physical activity
  • Dietary changes
  • Statins
• Atherosclerosis is the build-up of fatty deposits on artery walls.
• The main cause of atherosclerosis is high levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the bloodstream.
• High blood pressure increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis as it damages the endothelium lining the inside of the arteries.