Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition that affects the blood vessels, particularly the arteries, which carry oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. It happens when fatty deposits called plaques build up inside the artery walls, causing them to narrow and harden. This narrowing can reduce blood flow and lead to problems like chest pain, heart attacks, or strokes. The process often starts silently and worsens over many years, affecting the heart, brain, and other organs. Lifestyle factors such as diet, smoking, and exercise play a role in its development.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by the accumulation of lipid-laden plaques within the intima of large and medium-sized arteries. The pathogenesis involves endothelial injury, lipid infiltration, and recruitment of inflammatory cells, leading to foam cell formation and fibrous cap development. Major risk factors include hyperlipidemia, hypertension, smoking, and diabetes mellitus. The disease results in arterial lumen narrowing and reduced compliance, predisposing to ischemic events such as myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular accidents. Histologically, plaques contain a necrotic lipid core, calcifications, and smooth muscle proliferation. Clinically, it is the leading cause of coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial disease.