Atherosclerosis

Question 0

What happens in atherosclerosis?

Answer 0

Fatty deposits can either block an artery directly or increase its chance of being blocked by a blood clot (thrombosis).

Question 1

What is atherosclerosis?

Answer 1

Disease process that leads to coronary heart disease and strokes.

Question 2

Why do only arteries get atherosclerosis?

Answer 2

The fast flowing blood is under high pressure so there is a higher chance of damage to the walls.

Question 3

Describe the possible effects of a blood clot forming in a coronary artery. (5)

Answer 3

• Ischaemic
• Lack of blood supply which means lack of O2 and glucose.
• Myocardial infarction (heart attack).
• Angina
• Heart muscle forced to respire anaerobically.

Question 4

Name one drug that prevents clotting.

Answer 4

Warfarin

Or aspirin

Question 5

Describe the changes within the artery wall that can lead to a stroke. (4)

Answer 5

When the artery wall is damaged, an inflammatory response occurs. Response causes WBCs the move into the artery. These accumulate cholesterol which is then engulfed to become foam cells. An atheroma forms. When the hard plaque forms, the arteries harden and lose their elasticity; causing the lumen to narrow restricting blood flow to the heart causing a stroke.

Question 6

Stages of Atherosclerosis (11)

Answer 6

1. Endothelium that lines the inside of an artery wall becomes damaged.
2. Inflammatory response.
3. Response = WBCs move into the artery wall.
4. WBCs accumulate cholesterol which is then engulfed by them to become foam cells.
5. Atheroma forms.
6. Calcium salts and fibrous tissue accumulate…
7. …forming a hard plaque on top of the cholesterol.
8. Artery wall loses its elasticity.
9. Plaques cause the artery lumen to narrow.
10. Blood pressure increases.
11. This is atherosclerosis.

Question 7

What reasons are there to explain why the artery wall becomes damaged during atherosclerosis?

Answer 7

• high blood pressure

- chemicals from cigarette smoke

Question 8

What is the build up of cholesterol called?

Answer 8

An atheroma

Question 9

What causes the artery lumen to become narrowed?

Answer 9

Plaques.

Question 10

How does a heart attack affect the heart? (2)

Answer 10

• heart muscle dies

- heart is unable to contract

Question 11

Explain the causes of angina. (3)

Answer 11

• limited O2 and glucose supply to the heart muscle
• due to the blockage of coronary arteries
• …and accumulation of anaerobic respiration in the heart muscle.

Question 12

Describe how narrowing of the lumen can increase the risk of further damage to an artery. (2)

Answer 12

Higher blood pressure which means more damage to the endothelium.