Atherosclerosis

• Atherosclerosis

  • Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of fatty material (consisting mainly of cholesterol, fibrous material and calcium) forming an atheroma or plaque beneath the endothelium.
• The Effects of Athersosclerosis:

  As the atheroma grows the artery thickens and loses its elasticity. This causes;

  1)Significant reduction in the diameter of the arteries lumen.

  2) A restriction of blood flow to the

  capillary bed served by the artery.

  3) An increase in blood pressure.
• The large atheromas are made up of mainly cholesterol but as the years go by they become hardened by deposits of calcium.

  • This causes the artery walls to harden and lose their

  elasticity.

  • This process which occurs as a direct result of atherosclerosis is called hardening of the arteries.
• Problems caused by Atherosclerosis

  • Symptoms of atherosclerosis are normally seen later in life where they begin to cause problems.

  • Atherosclerosis is the root cause of various cardiovascular diseases (CVD) angina, heart attacks, strokes and peripheral vascular disease