Atheroma formation and atherosclerosis

Question 1

What is atherosclerosis?

Answer 1

Fat deposition in the walls of arteries which results in progressive thickening and hardening of the arterial wall.

Question 2

What are the three main arteries around the body affected by atherosclerosis?

Answer 2

Coronary arteries
Cerebral arteries
Peripheral arteries

Question 3

List some examples of non-modifiable risk factors of Cardiovascular disease.

Answer 3

Age
Gender
Ethnicity
Family history

Question 4

List some examples of modifiable risk factors of Cardiovascular disease.

Answer 4

High blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes 
High cholesterol 
Obesity 
Exercise
Smoking

Question 5

What are the possible drug treatments to prevent atherosclerosis and its complications?

Answer 5

Hyperlipidemia (Statins)

Hypertension (Anti-hypertensive drugs)

Question 6

What is atheroma?

Answer 6

Atherosclerotic plaques

Abnormal accumulation of fatty acids

Question 7

What are the 4 steps in the formation of an atheroma?

Answer 7

Endothelial dysfunction

Endothelial cell injury

Accumulation of cholesterol (creating foam cells)

Fibrous cap formation

Question 8

What happens and how does a plaque rapture?

Answer 8

When the cap is thick, the plaque is stable. thin capped atherosclerotic plaques are more prone to rupture and erosion causing thrombosis