Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition that occurs when fatty deposits (called plaque) build up in the arteries and narrow them over time. The narrowing reduces blood flow through the artery and can lead to heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular diseases. The risk of atherosclerosis increases with age, and it is more common among those who are obese or have high cholesterol levels; you can reduce your risk by maintaining a healthy weight, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.

Pathogenesis

The atheromatous plaque is formed by a collection of fat, cholesterol, debris, bacterial components, and calcium that predisposes an individual to coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral vascular disease, embolism, and heart failure. The exact cause of atherosclerosis is unknown. However, some risk factors have been linked with atherosclerosis, like abnormal cholesterol levels, family history, sedentary life, an unhealthy diet, diabetes, smoking, and obesity. The process begins with chronic stress on the endothelium secondary to arterial hypertension and turbulence caused by the atheromatous plaque. This leads to endothelial injury and subsequent inflammatory processes characterized by the invasion of inflammatory cells like monocytes and lymphocytes into the tunica intima.

Clinical implications of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a progressive disease that causes the arteries to harden and narrow, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, or other problems. The clinical implications of atherosclerosis are vast. There are many different types of atherosclerosis, and they all have different clinical implications. One type of atherosclerosis is coronary artery disease, which can lead to heart attack, chest pain (angina), congestive heart failure, or stroke if not treated. Coronary heart disease is a condition where the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle become narrowed or blocked, or where the heart muscle itself becomes thickened, too stiff, or too weak. This can lead to chest pain (angina) or a heart attack.
Another type is peripheral artery disease, which can cause pain in the legs when walking or other symptoms like numbness and tingling sensations in the hands and feet, commonly referred to as a peripheral vascular disease. Atherosclerosis in the brain is referred to as cerebrovascular disease (CVD), which predisposes an individual to stroke and other neurological deficits. The narrowing of arteries that supply blood to your brain (cerebrovascular disease) can cause transient episodes of dizziness and loss of consciousness, as well as permanent disabilities such as paralysis and blindness.

Atherosclerosis also has many non-clinical implications, such as occupational implications for construction workers who are at risk for developing atherosclerotic plaque in their legs from prolonged standing on hard surfaces without breaks.