ATHEROSCLEROSIS

WEEK 4

BIOCHEMISTRY

WHAT IS ATHEROSCLEROSIS?

A

therosclerosis - is a disease in which plaque builds up inside

your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich

blood to your heart and other parts of your body.

P

laque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other

substances found in the blood. Over time, plaque hardens and

narrows your arteries, limiting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to

your organs and other parts of your body. This can lead to

serious problems, including heart attack, stroke, or even death.

ATHEROSCLEROSIS

ETIOLOGY

I

DIOPATHIC

H

owever, studies show that atherosclerosis is

a slow, complex disease that may start in

childhood. It develops faster as you age.

ETIOLOGYA

therosclerosis may start when certain factors damage the inner layers of

the arteries. These factors include:

S

moking

H

igh amounts of certain fats and cholesterol in the blood

H

igh blood pressure

H

igh amounts of sugar in the blood due to insulin resistance or diabetes

RISK FACTORSM

ale gender- lack LDL-lowering effect of estrogen

F

amily history/genetics

C

igarette smoking- carbon monoxide-induced hypoxic injury to endothelial cells

A

ge

L

ack of Physical Activity

U

nhealthy Diet

S/SXA

therosclerosis usually doesn't cause signs and symptoms until it severely

narrows or totally blocks an artery. Many people don't know they have the

disease until they have a medical emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke.

Coronary artery- myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Cerebral artery- stroke

Renal vessels- renovascular HPN

Blood vessels of the extremities- gangrene

HOW IS ATHEROSCLEROSIS TREATED?

T

reatments for atherosclerosis may include lifestyle changes, medicines, and

medical procedures or surgery.

T

he goals of treatment include:

•R

elieving symptoms

•R

educing risk factors in an effort to slow or stop the buildup of plaque

•L

owering the risk of blood clots forming

•W

idening or bypassing plaque-clogged arteries

•P

reventing atherosclerosis-related diseases