What is Atherosclerosis Plaque builds up on artery walls causing the body to be deprived of oxygen Plague is made up of many substances from the blood Atherosclerosis is one of the main causes for many heart problems which is why it is sometime referred to as heart disease ID: 702890
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Atherosclerosis
By: Sara Darnell, Alexis Davidson, and Megan FulhorstSlide2
What is Atherosclerosis
Plaque builds up on artery walls causing the body to be deprived of oxygen.
Plague is made up of many substances from the blood.
Atherosclerosis is one of the main causes for many heart problems which is why it is sometime referred to as heart disease. Slide3
Causes of Atherosclerosis
Can start at a young age
Signs are not usually shown in the first stages of Atherosclerosis.
An increased risk of Atherosclerosis comes fromSmoking
High cholesterol and blood pressureDiabetes
Obesity
Unhealthy eating and a lack of exercise
Stress Slide4
Risk Factors
Plaque builds up on the arterial walls causing narrowing. This narrowing can increase blood pressure, or possibly have no symptoms at all.
Plaque continually builds up and has the potential to block arteries.
Experiencing sharp pain while exercising is the main symptom of atherosclerosis and it is due to the plaque in one’s artery.A buildup of plaque can break apart and cause blood clotting. This can cause a stroke or a heart attack.Slide5
Risk factors (cont.)
Coronary Artery Disease: A plaque that has grown to a certain size and is considered stable can break and lead to stroke or heart attack.
Cerebrovascular Disease: Brain damage can occur
during stroke due to ruptured plaques takes place.Peripheral Artery Disease: The buildups of the plaque lead to sub-par circulation of the blood through the body; most notably the extremities. This is painful and injuries have the potential to not heal correctly.Slide6
Prevention
Once there is a buildup of plaque in the arteries, to prevent multiple plaques and decrease the growth rate of the plaque, special measures can be taken.
Exercise can benefit the body and reduce risk.
Not smoking anymore.A healthy diet can improve your body’s overall health.
Medication for high blood pressure and cholesterol can help reduce risk of larger or multiple plaque buildups, as these are significant causes of atherosclerosis.
Reducing stress levels can improve your general heart rate and the strain on your arteries.Slide7
Prevention (cont.)
CONT.
Reducing alcohol consumption.
Losing weight can reduce risk.Angiography and stenting is a procedure which widens the arteries allowing blood to move more smoothly.
Bypass surgery can redirect blood flow around arteries with little to no blood flow.Taking a medication that reduces blood clotting can be beneficial. Slide8
Is Atherosclerosis Reversible?
Atherosclerosis is
not
reversible, although there are certain treatments that can possibly slow the plaque buildup.Atheroma liquids in the arteries can be reabsorbed, but calcification and hyalinization are irreversible. Cholesterol in the atherosclerotic artery can exchange with the cholesterol in the blood, but this exchange does not cause for a net transfer of lipids.