Question

Describe the possible mechanisms involved in the development of atherosclerosis.

Describe mechanisms of development of atheroschlerosis.

Discuss the major risk factors for atherosclerosis.

Describe the major complications of atherosclerosis.

Discus the arterial involvement in atherosclerosis.

List the clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis.

Answer 1

Atherosclerosis is a thickening and hardening of large and medium sized muscular arteries, primarily due to involvement of tunica intima and is characterized by fibrofatty plaques or atheromas.

Atherosclerosis is the commonest and the most important of the arterial disease. Though any large and medium sized artery may be involved, the most commonly affected are aorta, coronary artery and cerebral artery.

Complications due to involvement of these 3 arteries are-

1. Angina and myocardial infarction or heart attack.

2. Transient cerebral ischemia and cerebral infarction.

3. Peripheral vascular disease, aneurysmal dilatation.

Cardiovascular disease, mostly related to atherosclerotic Coronary heart disease or ischemic heart diseases is the most common cause.

Risk factor includes-

1. Dyslipidaemia.

2. Hypertension.

3. Diabetes mellitus

4. Smoking.

5. Obesity.

6. Hormones- oestrogen deficiency, oral contraceptives.

7. Physical inactivity.