What
is Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis
is a common form of hardening of the arteries (the blood vessels that
carry oxygen and other nutrients from the heart to other parts of the
body), due to deposition of plaques. Plaques are patches of fatty tissue
that collect at arterial junctions and damage artery walls. As fatty
deposits accumulate, they reduce the elasticity of the blood vessel and
narrow the passageway, thus interfering with blood flow. Atherosclerotic
vascular disease (AVD) may lead to decreased circulation in the blood
vessels of the heart, brain and extremities.
The
progression of Atherosclerosis
- First fatty material is
deposited in the arterial wall, forming ridges called fatty streaks.
- More fatty material collects in the arterial wall,
forming bulges called atheromas.
- Atheromas can get
larger and harden into fibrous plaques. These plaques can
clog the arteries and cause severe chest pain (angina).
- Over time, a blood clot can form in an artery narrowed with
plaque. This can block the flow of blood to the heart, causing a heart attack.
Signs
and symptoms of Atherosclerosis
Symptoms
are often absent until atherosclerosis reaches advanced stages. Symptoms
depend on what part of the body has decreased blood flow, and the extent
of disease.
| Area affected |
Symptoms |
If it involves the blood vessels to the heart :
|
- Angina pectoris (Cardiac pain)
- Myocardial infarction (Heart attacks)
|
| If it involves the central nervous system : |
- Transient ischaemic attacks
- Strokes (Brain attacks)
|
| If it involves the peripheral blood vessels : |
- Intermittent claudication which
may progress to gangrene of
the organ/site involved
|
Risk
factors of Atherosclerosis
Risk factors are attributes or conditions that are significantly associated
with the development of a disease. Established risk factors for atherosclerosis
include:
- High
blood pressure
- High
cholesterol levels
- Positive
family history
- Diabetes
mellitus
- Cigarette smoking
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Stress
Recent
research has identified two new risk factors namely :
|
