Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is very similar to Coronary Artery Disease. It is a thickening of the artery walls due to build up of plaque along the interior walls. The build up of cholesterol causes the arteries to become inflamed and thickened. Arteries that have atherosclerosis have three layers of plaque build up called atheromateous plaque. The inner most layer is called the atheroma, which is an accumulation of soft, flaky material. Underlying the atheroma is a build up of cholesterol followed by a calcification directly along the arterial walls of older accumulations. Atherosclerosis leads to a build of clots that can rupture and break off of the build up which cause stroke or heart attack. If the clots do pass through the heart safely, they will generally shrink but will cause stenosis, or narrowing of the artery, elsewhere in the body. By the clot shrinking, it allows it to become capable of passing through even smaller arteries and capillaries throughout the body which makes a complete blockage even more susceptible. If a blockage occurs, it prevents the blood flow to the muscle or organ in which it is supplying leading to system failure.