ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Atherosclerosis

The term atherosclerosis is derived from athero-(meaning

porridge) referring to the soft lipid-rich material in the centre
of atheroma, and sclerosis (scarring) referring to connective
tissue in the plaques.
Atherosclerosis is an thickening and hardening of large and
medium-sized muscular arteries, primarily due to
involvement of tunica intima and is characterised by
fibrofatty plaques or atheromas.
 clinical syndromes resulting from ischaemia
due to atherosclerosis
1. Heart
(angina and myocardial infarcts or heart attacks)
2. Brain
(transient cerebral ischaemia & strokes)
3. Other sequelae are: peripheral vascular disease,
aneurysmal dilatation due to weakened arterial wall.
 SMOKING

The extent and severity of atherosclerosis are much greater in smokers

than in non-smokers. Cigarette smoking is associated with higher risk
of atherosclerotic IHD and sudden cardiac death. Men who smoke a
pack of cigarettes a day are 3-5 times more likely to die of IHD than
non-smokers.
The increased risk and severity of atherosclerosis in smokers is due to
reduced level of HDL, deranged coagulation system and accumulation
of carbon monoxide in the blood that produces carboxy haemoglobin
and eventually hypoxia in the arterial wall favouring atherosclerosis.