Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is a disease characterized by the hardening of arteries caused by the deposition of fatty material in the arterial wall.The resident cells interpret this as an intrusion, "call for help", and inflammation results. Immune cells called monocytes circulating in the blood enter the artery wall, turn into macrophages and ingest the fat which is in the form of LDL particles (Low density lipoprotein), thereby turning into large "foam cells". The inflammation also causes a fibrous cap to be formed between the fatty deposits and the artery lining (the intima). These capped fatty deposits (called atheromas) narrow the blood vessel. This can lead to narrowing (stenosis) of the artery. The atheromas are fragile. When they rupture, the tissues of the artery wall are exposed to the blood which clots. A partial blockage can then form which be quickly converted into a complete obstruction, resulting in a heart attack or stroke, depending on which artery is obstructed.
These risk factors for atherosclerosis are known:
If atherosclerosis leads to symptoms, the symptoms (such as angina) can be treated. Medicines are usually the first step in treating cardiovascular diseases. Other treatments include angioplasty procedures to open up clogged arteries and surgery, such as bypass surgery.
High blood pressure, diabetes, or high blood cholesterol can be treated as well. Lowering the blood cholesterol level can slow, stop, or even reverse the buildup of plaque. Cholesterol lowering can reduce the cholesterol content in unstable plaques to make them more stable and less prone to rupture.
References:
Risk factors
High-risk patients are given a low-fat diet, exercise and cholesterol-lowering drugs.Treatment
Some of the text on this page has been taken from the public domain document at http://www.4woman.gov/faq/atheroscle.htm