ARTERIOSCLEROSIS

INTRODUCTION: Arteriosclerosis, or “hardening of the arteries,” is the most common disease of the arteries. It is a diffuse process whereby the muscle fibers and the endothelial lining of the walls of small arteries and arterioles become thickened. Atherosclerosis primarily affects the intima of the large and medium-sized arteries, causing changes that include the accumulation of lipids also known as atheromas, calcium, blood components, carbohydrates, and fibrous tissue on the intimal layer of the artery. Lipids: Carbohydrates: Calcium  Although the pathologic processes of arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis differ, rarely does one occur without the other, and the terms often are used interchangeably. The most common direct results of atherosclerosis in the arteries include narrowing (stenosis) of the lumen and obstruction by thrombosis, aneurysm, ulceration, and rupture; ischemia and necrosis occur if the supply of blood, nutrients, and oxygen is severely and permanently disrupted. Atherosclerosis can develop anywhere in the body but is most common in bifurcation or branch areas of blood vessels. Atherosclerotic lesions are of two types: fatty streaks which is composed of lipids and elongated smooth muscle cells, and fibrous plaques which are predominantly found in the abdominal aorta and coronary, popliteal, and internal carotid arteries.

RISK FACTORS: Many risk factors are associated with atherosclerosis; the greater the number of risk factors, the greater the likelihood of developing the disease. The use of tobacco products is the strongest risk factor. High fat intake is also a suspected risk factor, along with high serum cholesterol and blood lipid levels. Others include; Hypertension:  Diabetes, Obesity, stress, and lack of exercise continues to be among the contributing factors.

Clinical Manifestations: Clinical features depend on the tissue or organ affected: in case the heart is involved, expect angina and Myocardial infaction (MI) due to coronary atherosclerosis. In case the brain is involved, expect transient ischemic attacks and stroke due to cerebrovascular disease, Cerebral vascularaccident peripheral vessels (includes hypertension and symptoms of aneurysm of the aorta, renovascular disease, atherosclerotic lesions of the extremities).

Management: The management of atherosclerosis involves modification of risk factors, a controlled exercise program to improve circulation and its functioning capacity, medication therapy, and interventional or surgical graft procedures (inflow or outflow procedures). Several radiologic techniques are important adjunctive therapies to surgical procedures. They include arteriography, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, and stents and stent grafts.

RELATED;

1.  HEART FAILURE

REFERENCES