atherosclerosis Flashcards
1
Q
what is atherosclerosis
A
the build up of fatty plaques in arterial walls
2
Q
what is atherosclerosis the pathological basis for
A
angina, ACS, PAD, AAA, CHD and some strokes
3
Q
what are risk factors
A
smoking, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia and alcohol consumption
4
Q
what is hyperlipidemia
A
high cholesterol (too many lipids in the blood)
5
Q
what are the non-modifiable risk factors
A
males
increased age
genetics
6
Q
pathophysiology
A
- Primary endothelial injury
- mainly at artery branching sites
- Accumulation of lipids and macrophages
- Macrophages trap lipids (LDL), then get stuck in plaque
- Increased LDL, reduced HDL
- Macrophages become foam cells
- Foam cells get under endothelium - fatty streak (not raised)
- Growth factors (PDGF, FGF, TGFalpha) stimulate smooth muscle migration from tunica media → intima
- formation of fiborous cap - plaque
- Plaque disrupts blood flow, thrombus occludes artery → rupture → angina