Atheroma

Question 1

Atheroma

Answer 1

Arteries become narrowed and hardened by fatty substances such as cholesterol

Question 2

Modifiable Risk Factors

Answer 2

Smoking
Hypertension
Diabetes
Obesity
Sedentary lifestyle
Unhealthy diet
Alcohol

Question 3

Non-Modifiable Risk Factors

Answer 3

Male
Increasing age
Low birth weight
Family history

Question 4

Endothelial Damage

Answer 4

Endothelium becomes leaky
LDL can move into tunica intima and deposit cholesterol
Initiates inflammatory damage

Question 5

Inflammatory Response

Answer 5

Attracts monocytes
Monocytes move through leaky epithelium
Within tunica intima, they transform to macrophages

Question 6

Formation of Fatty Streaks

Answer 6

Macrophage engulfs cholesterol to form foam cells
Foam cells accumulate beneath endothelium = fatty streaks

Question 7

Formation of Atherosclerotic Plaques

Answer 7

Foam cells become lipid-laden and degenerate and release contents
Fibrous tissue forms a hardened plaque

Question 8

Thrombus Formation

Answer 8

Plaque increases in size and ruptures
Activates clotting cascade
Thrombus formation

Question 9

Aneurysm

Answer 9

Excessive localised swelling of an artery wall

Question 10

Thrombosis

Answer 10

Blood clot in situ in the vessels

Question 11

Embolus

Answer 11

Blood clot carried around blood system which becomes lodges and causes a blockage

Question 11

Stenosis

Answer 11

Abnormal narrowing of body passage