Definition
A form of arteriosclerosis, in which there is fatty degeneration of the middle coat of the arterial wall.
Atherosclerosis
is due to the deposition of CHOLESTEROL into the walls of arteries. The
process starts in childhood with the development of fatty streaks
lining the arteries. In adulthood these progress, scarring and
calcifying to form irregular narrowings within the arteries and
eventually leading to blockage of the vessel.
The consequence
of the narrowing or blockage depends on which vessels are involved –
diseased cerebral vessels cause strokes; coronary vessels cause angina
and heart attacks; renal vessels cause renal failure; and peripheral
arteries cause limb ischaemia (localised bloodlessness).
Risk factors
predisposing individuals to atherosclerosis include age, male gender,
raised plasma cholesterol concentration, high blood pressure, smoking, a
family history of atherosclerosis, diabetes and obesity.
Source: Black's Medical Dictionary (42nd ed, 2010, ISBN 978-1-4081-0419-4)
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