Atherosclerosis
Applied Science: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, topic 1.5.3
Atheromas
Atheromas are the deposition of materials in the walls of the arteries causing a blockage. Atheromas can cause a number of cardiovascular diseases.
Deposition
- The endothelium of arteries can become damaged by the deposition of white blood cells and lipids.
- If white blood cells and fatty materials continue to be deposited in the artery walls, the materials will begin to form hard, fibrous plaque.
Narrow lumen
- As the fibrous plaque builds up, the lumen of the artery becomes narrower.
- The flow of blood through the arteries is restricted.
- The narrower lumen also increases blood pressure.
- The presence of the fibrous plaque is called an atheroma.
Coronary heart disease
- Atheromas can cause diseases of the heart.
- Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a type of disease that is associated with many atheromas.
Atherosclerosis
- Atherosclerosis is the blockage of an artery by the buildup of fatty plaques.
- The slowdown of blood flow and subsequent oxygen deprivation that results from atherosclerosis causes severe pain, known as angina, and complete blockage of the arteries will cause myocardial infarction: the death of cardiac muscle tissue, commonly known as a heart attack.
Test yourself on Atherosclerosis
Which of the following statements about atheromas are true?
What causes the lumen of arteries to narrow in the formation of an atheroma?