atherosclerosis

Question 1

what is atherosclerosis

Answer 1

the build up of fatty plaques in arterial walls

Question 2

what is atherosclerosis the pathological basis for

Answer 2

angina, ACS, PAD, AAA, CHD and some strokes

Question 3

what are risk factors

Answer 3

smoking, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia and alcohol consumption

Question 4

what is hyperlipidemia

Answer 4

high cholesterol (too many lipids in the blood)

Question 5

what are the non-modifiable risk factors

Answer 5

males
increased age
genetics

Question 6

pathophysiology

Answer 6

1. Primary endothelial injury
   
   • mainly at artery branching sites
2. Accumulation of lipids and macrophages
3. Macrophages trap lipids (LDL), then get stuck in plaque
   
   • Increased LDL, reduced HDL
4. Macrophages become foam cells
5. Foam cells get under endothelium - fatty streak (not raised)
6. Growth factors (PDGF, FGF, TGFalpha) stimulate smooth muscle migration from tunica media → intima
   
   • formation of fiborous cap - plaque
7. Plaque disrupts blood flow, thrombus occludes artery → rupture → angina