Atherosclerosis
Chronic disease characterized by abnormal thickening of the
walls of the arteries due to fatty deposits (atheromas) of cholesterol on the
arterial inner walls (seeartery).
These thicken, forming plaques that narrow the vessel
channel (lumen) and impede blood flow. Scarring and calcification make the
walls less elastic, raising blood pressure. Eventually plaques may completely
block a lumen, or a blood clot (thrombus) may obstruct a narrowed channel. Atherosclerosis
of one or more coronary arteries (also called coronary heart disease) can
decrease the heart muscle's blood supply, causing angina pectoris. Complete
blockage causes heart attack. In the brain, atherosclerosis may result in
stroke. Treatments include drugs that reduce the level of cholesterol and fat
in the blood, anticoagulants and other drugs that prevent the formation of
blood clots, coronary bypass, and balloon angioplasty.
