Atheroma and athersclerosis

Question 1

State the composition of an atherosclerotic plaque

Answer 1

Fibroblasts on the outside
Lipids
Lymphocytes

Question 2

State four risk factors of atherosclerotic plaques

Answer 2

• Cigarette smoking - contains toxins that damage blood vessels
• Hypertention - high blood pressure damages endothelial cells w/shearing forces, esp. at bifurcation vessels
• Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus - release of toxins that damage endothelial cells
• Hyperlipidaemia - directly damages endothelial cells