Why is Atherosclerosis known as a heart disease Atherosclerosis is when there is a buildup of plaque on artery walls This creates a smaller passageway for blood to go through increasing blood pressure ID: 774854
Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document " Atherosclerosis By Aravind Kalathil, Sa..." is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.
Slide1
Atherosclerosis
By Aravind Kalathil, Sam Eiswirth, and Brooke Turner
Slide2Why is Atherosclerosis known as a heart disease?
Atherosclerosis is when there is a buildup of plaque on artery wallsThis creates a smaller passageway for blood to go through, increasing blood pressureDue to the smaller passageway, it can stop oxygen-rich blood from going to muscles, especially the heartWithout oxygen-rich blood entering the heart and supplying the heart’s tissue with oxygen, heart attacks, chest pain, and strokes may occur
Slide3Causes of Atherosclerosis
Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood away from your heart, and distribute oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. The walls of the arteries are lined with a layer of cells called endothelium which functions as a way to keep the walls smooth in order to easily keep blood flowing.Atherosclerosis is caused by damaging the endothelium in your arteries, which often caused by smoking, high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol. The damage of the endothelium leads to the formation of plaque.When LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) comes in contact with the damaged endothelium, the cholesterol enters the arterial wall and results in the formation of plaque build-up.
Slide4Risk Factors of Atherosclerosis
People that are most likely to be affected by this:SmokersPeople with high blood pressurePeople with high cholesterolDiabeticsOver the age of 50People with low physical activity or unhealthy eating habitsObesity
Slide5Symptoms of Atherosclerosis
The plaque buildup can cause three main types of cardiovascular diseases:Coronary Artery Disease: The excess of fatty substances in the heart can cause angina (chest pains), plaque can suddenly rupture and cause blood clots which restricts blood flow to the heart muscle which results in a heart attackCerebrovascular Disease: Ruptured plaques in the brain's arteries can cause a stroke, which can lead to many other problems such as permanent brain damage. Can also cause transient ischemic attacks which are warning signs of a strokePeripheral Artery Disease: Blockages can cause poor blood circulation which can lead to peripheral pain, and in severe cases can lead to amputation
Slide6Prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis
StatinsStatins are a class of LDL cholesterol lowering drugsStatins work by blocking the substance in your liver that the body uses to create LDL cholesterolHigh LDL cholesterol is the main cause of atherosclerosisRegular moderate exerciseExercise can help one to lose weight, which also helps lower LDL cholesterol levelsDietary changesAvoid trans fats and limit saturated fat intake, replace with unsaturated fats (Saturated fats prompt your body to produce more LDL cholesterol)
Slide7Prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis continued
Dietary changesModerate consumption of unsaturated fats can increase your levels of HDL cholesterol and help reduce blockage in your arteriesModerate consumption plant sterolsResearch suggests eating 2,000mg of sterols and stanols a day reduces levels of LDL cholesterol by around 10%, which in turn should reduce the risk of heart disease by around 25%.
Slide8Can atherosclerosis be reversed?
Atherosclerosis cannot be completely reversedIt is only possible to slow the progression of the diseaseMajor lifestyle and dietary changes along with medication can help to slow progression of the diseaseThe best way to slow the progression of atherosclerosis is to lower LDL cholesterol (cholesterol that is absorbed by the body) through the use of statins