February 2011
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Jan		Mar »
	1	2	3	4	5	6
7	8	9	10	11	12	13
14	15	16	17	18	19	20
21	22	23	24	25	26	27
28

Pharmacy Links

ATHEROSCLEROSIS: DEVELOPMENT AND RISK FACTORS

03rd February 2011

Atherosclerosis, the most common form of hardening of the arteries, refers to the thickening of the inner walls (intima) of the blood vessel. It is the most frequent cause of heart attacks and strokes. It can lead to aneurysm (dilation) of the abdominal aorta or gangrene of the leg.
Atherosclerosis develops gradually throughout life. In childhood fatty streaks appear in the inner lining of the blood vessel. These streaks do not lead to any clinical symptoms. In early adult years fatty materials and cholesterol continue to be deposited and are covered with thick fibrous layers of connective tissue. These deposits are known as atheroma, or plaques. The channel, through which the blood flows, becomes narrower, and it is increasingly difficult to supply enough blood to the tissues. In later years angina pectoris is a manifestation of this deficiency of blood (ischemia).
The plaques sometimes ulcerate and hemorrhage or the rough surfaces can initiate blood clotting. If the vessel is blocked by a clot, the tissue served by that vessel dies. Blocking of a coronary vessel, also known as a coronary occlusion, results in myocardial infarction; sudden death occurs if a principal vessel is affected. Occlusion of a vessel to the brain is a stroke (cerebral thrombosis), while blockage of a blood vessel in the leg leads to gangrene.

Risk factors
The three major factors that increase the risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease are elevated blood lipids, hypertension, and cigarette smoking. Dietary factors, especially saturated fat and cholesterol, are associated with elevated blood lipids, while a high salt intake may be a factor in hypertension. Many other factors also increase the risks: (1) males between the ages of 45 and 64 years are highly susceptible; (2) a family history of heart and blood vessel disease; (3) tension, frustration, emotional stress, meeting deadlines, and drive to achieve; (4) sedentary occupation and lack of exercise; (5) obesity; and (6) diabetes mellitus. Even the relative softness of drinking water in some geographic areas has been listed by some research workers as a risk factor. There is considerable lack of agreement on the excessive consumption of coffee (more than 5 cups daily) as a risk factor.
*1/234/5*