Atherosclerosis

1. Atherosclerosis

2. Atherosclerosis
 Atherosclerosis (also known as
arteriosclerotic vascular disease or
ASVD) is a condition in which an
artery wall thickens as a result of the
accumulation of fatty materials such
as cholesterol and triglyceride.

3. Atherosclerosis
 Atherosclerosis starts when high blood
pressure, smoking, or high cholesterol
causing damage the endothelium
 This leads to the formation of plaques

4. Atherosclerosis
 The plaque is divided into three distinct
components:
 The atheroma which is the nodular
accumulation of a soft, flaky, yellowish
material at the center of large plaques,
composed of macrophages nearest the
lumen of the artery
 Underlying areas of cholesterol crystals
 Calcification at the outer base of
older/more advanced lesions.

5. Atherosclerosis
 Sometimes symptoms are very limited
or unnoticeable because arteries are
not always blocked completely

6. Atherosclerosis
 Most people with atherosclerosis do
not become aware of their illness until
they experience a stroke or heart
attack

7. Atherosclerosis
 All people are at risk
for atherosclerosis
 About 52% of the
American population
may exhibit some
form of
atherosclerosis
 Including 17% of
teenagers, and 85%
of people over 80

8. Atherosclerosis
 Treatments for atherosclerosis
include:
 Lifestyle changes
 Medications
 Stenting
 Bypass surgery

9. Atherosclerosis
 The presence of atherosclerosis
greatly decreases life expectancy
 The degree of the buildup determines
the rate of health decrease

10. Atherosclerosis
 New research regarding lipoproteins is
being done to help decrease plaque
buildup and the occurrence of
atherosclerosis

11. Atherosclerosis
 Balloon angioplasty
 Real angioplasty
 Coronary bypass