Arteriosclerosis & Atherosclerosis (CardioVascularDisorder) | Chapter circulation Video # 13

Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis

• Plaque: a sticky deposit
• Arterial thrombosis usually affects people whose arteries are clogged with fatty deposits. This is known as atherosclerosis. These deposits cause the arteries to harden and narrow over time and increase the risk of blood clots.
• The embolism could be due to a piece of clot or plaque that broke off from an atherosclerotic plaque.

Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body (arteries) become thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic, but over time, the walls in your arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries.
Atherosclerosis happens when arteries become narrow and hard due to a buildup of plaque around the artery wall.
The plaque that is the cause of atherosclerosis consists of cholesterol, calcium, fat, and other substances, and it can harder over time.
The changes in a person’s arteries disrupt the flow of blood around the body and increase the risk of complications, such as heart attack or stroke. These complications can be life threatening.


Cause
Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. A thin layer of cells forms a lining that keeps them smooth and allows blood to flow easily. This is called the endothelium.
Atherosclerosis happens when the endothelium becomes damaged, due to factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, or high levels of glucose, fat, and cholesterol in the blood.
This damage allows a collection of substances, known as plaque, to build up in the artery wall. These substances include fat and cholesterol.
Over time, plaque can build up and become hard.
Sometimes, pieces of plaque break open. If this happens, particles from blood cells, known as platelets, gather in the affected area. These can stick together, forming blood clots.
A clot can block the artery, leading to life threatening complications, such as stroke and heart attack.

Symptoms
Atherosclerosis develops gradually. Mild atherosclerosis usually doesn't have any symptoms.
You usually won't have atherosclerosis symptoms until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can't supply adequate blood to your organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely blocks blood flow, or even breaks apart and can trigger a heart attack or stroke.
Carotid arteries
Carotid arteries provide blood to the brain. Restricted blood supply can lead to a stroke.
Symptoms of stroke can appear suddenly and include:
• weakness
• difficulty breathing
• headache
• facial numbness
• paralysis
Coronary arteries
Coronary arteries provide blood to the heart. When the blood supply to the heart falls, it can cause angina and heart attack.
A person may experience:
• chest pain
• vomiting
• extreme anxiety
• coughing
• faintness
Renal arteries
Renal arteries supply blood to the kidneys. If the blood supply becomes limited, chronic kidney disease may develop.
• loss of appetite
• swelling of the hands and feet
• difficulty concentrating
Peripheral arteries
These arteries supply blood to the arms, legs, and pelvis.
If blood cannot circulate effectively, a person may experience numbness and pain in their limbs. In severe cases, tissue death and gangrene can occur.
Treatment
Atherosclerosis can be life threatening, but treatment is available.
Treatment aims to slow or stop the development of plaque, prevent blood clots forming, and treat symptoms.
Options include:
• lifestyle changes
• medications
• surgery
Lifestyle changes
• avoiding or quitting smoking
• consuming alcohol in moderation
• getting regular exercise
• following a healthful diet
• maintaining a healthy weight
Medication
Drugs known as statins can help manage a person’s cholesterol levels.
Other medications can lower blood pressure, reduce blood sugar, and prevent clots and inflammation.
Surgery
Sometimes a person will need surgery to ensure that blood in their arteries continues to flow effectively.
Options include:
• using a stent to widen the blood vessel
• bypass surgery to carry blood around the affected area
• surgery to remove plaque buildup, for example, in the neck

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