Atherosclerosis Flashcards
1
Q
ESSENCE
A
Combination of atheromas and sclerosis
Atheroma = fatty deposits in arteries
Sclerosis = process of hardening of blood vessels
2
Q
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
A
- Caused by chronic inflammation and activation of immune system in artery
- Lipids are deposited in artery wall, followed by development of fibrous atheromatous plaques
3
Q
What blood vessels are affected
A
Medium and large vessels
4
Q
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Consequences of plaques
A
- Stiffening of artery wall causing hypertension
- Stenosis caused reduced blood flow (angina)
- Plaque rupture causing thrombus causing ischaemia
5
Q
AETIOLOGY
Non-modifiable risk factors
A
- Older age
- FH
- Male
6
Q
AETIOLOGY
Modifiable risk factors
A
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Poor diet
- Low exercise
- Obesity
- Poor sleep
- Stress
7
Q
EPIDEMIOLOGY
Male or female
A
More prevalent in males
8
Q
AETIOLOGY
What medical co-morbidites increases risk
A
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Chronic kidney disease
- Inflammatory conditions such as RA
- Atypical antipsychotic medication
9
Q
COMPLICATIONS
End result of atherosclerosis
A
- Angina
- Myocardial infarction
- TIA
- Stroke
- Peripheral arterial disease
- Chronic mesenteric ischaemia
