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Atherosclerosisby Sidrah naseem (ug-3)

Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic.

Atherosclerosis refers to the build up of fats and cholesterol on your artery walls (plaques), which can restrict blood flow.

2 CAUSESAtherosclerosis starts when the endothelium becomes damaged, allowing LDL cholesterol to accumulate in the artery wall. The body sends macrophage white blood cells to clean up the cholesterol, but sometimes the cells get stuck there at the affected site.

Over time this results in plaque being built up, consisting of bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) and macrophage white blood cells.

The plaque clogs up the artery, disrupting the flow of blood around the body. This potentially causes blood clots that can result in life-threatening conditions such asheart attack,strokeand other cardiovascular diseases.

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4 RISK FACTORSHigh blood pressure

High cholesterol

Smoking and other sources of nicotine

Diabetes

Obesity

Family history5 COMPLICATIONSCoronary artery disease

Carotid artery disease

Peripheral artery disease

Aneurysms

6 DIAGNOSTIC TESTSBlood tests

Doppler ultrasound Ankle-brachial index

Electrocardiogram (ECG)

Stress test

Cardiac catheterization and angiogram

CT scan or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)

Physical exam

7 MEDICATIONSCholesterol medications

Anti-platelet medications

Beta blocker medications

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

Calcium channel blockers

Water pills (diuretics)

8 THERAPYAngioplasty and stent placement

Endarterectomy

Thrombolytic therapy

Bypass surgery

9 PREVENTIONStop smoking

Daily exercise

Healthy food

Maintain weight

Avoid stress

10 REFERENCES:http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/DS00525/DSECTION=prevention

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001224/

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247837.php

http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/what-is-atherosclerosis

Thank you!11