Atherosclerosis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Atherosclerosis - Essay Example The lesions of atherosclerosis start with fatty deposits and gradually develop into complicated lesions. The progressive development of atherosclerotic is classified into six types with increasing effect of compromising the function of the arteries. The first four types of the atherosclerotic lesions do not produce clinical symptoms, while the fourth and fifth type produces clinical symptoms. These clinical symptoms are dependent on the site of compromise of the integrity of the artery. The metabolism of lipids and their serum levels, body fat, obesity, infections and inflammations have a role to play in the development of atherosclerosis and are high risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. In addition gender, heredity, diseases related to diet like metabolic syndrome, and life style are all factors that contribute to the development of atherosclerosis by themselves or in conjunction with the other factors. Two mechanisms are involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis consisting of chronic endothelial injury and elevated lipid levels. Risk factors like infection, inflammation, and smoking can lead to epithelial injury and elevated lipid levels encourage formation of plaque loaded with lipids and initiate the formation of clot or thrombus. The formation of thrombus can lead to a total blocking of the lumen of the artery, which clinically manifests itself in different ways, depending on the location of the blockage, Occlusion in the arteries that supply blood to the heart manifest as myocardial infarction, while in the case of occlusion in the arteries supplying blood to the brain manifests as a stroke or a cerebrovascular event. Infarctions in the liver and kidneys through similar mechanisms impair their functions. The impaired blood flow as a result of the occlusion, if not reversed immediately can lead to ischemia of the involved tissues and death of the tissues, Pharmacological