This research is being submitted on December 10th, 2013, for Julie Stubrud’s PHA 1500 Anatomy and Physiology course
Atherosclerosis is the hardening of the arteries. It occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard structures called plaques. Overtime, these plaques can block the arteries and cause problems throughout the body. This paper talks about the organ system that this disease affects is the cardiovascular system, What the function of the cardiovascular system is, how disease is contracted and developed, Signs and Symptoms, Treatments for disorder, Preventions and risk factors, and Not excising regularly
The organ system that this disease affects is the cardiovascular system. It affects the cardiovascular system because the artaries are clogged resulting in not enough blood being delivered to the heart. A numerous number of things can happen like, stroke, high blood pressure, heart attack, and coronary heart disease.
The function of the cardiovascular system is, to Transport of nutrients, oxygen, and hormones to cells throughout the body and removal of metabolic wastes (carbon dioxide, nitrogenous wastes). It is the protection of the body by white blood cells, antibodies, and complement proteins that circulate in the blood and defend the body against foreign microbes and toxins. Clotting mechanisms are also present that protect the body from blood loss after injuries. It is also responsible for the regulation of body temperature, fluid pH, and water contents of cells.
How disease is contracted and developed. Experts say the exact process is not completely understood. Scientist had described 3 different stages. The fatty streak. The "fatty streak" appears as a yellow streak running inside the walls of the major arteries, such as the aorta. The streak consists of cholesterol, white blood cells, and other cellular matter. The fatty streak by itself does not cause symptoms of Heart disease but can develop into a more advanced form of atherosclerosis, called fibrous plaque. The plaque: A plaque forms in the inner layer of the artery. Plaque is a buildup of cholesterol, white blood cells, calcium, and other substances in the walls of arteries. Over time, plaque narrows the artery, and the artery hardens. Plaque sometimes reduces blood flow to the heart muscle, which can cause angina symptoms. Plaque in the large artery in the neck (carotid artery stenosis) may block blood flow to the brain and is a common cause of transient ischemic attack (sometimes called "mini-stroke") and stroke. Plaques are covered with a fibrous cap, which may rupture if some trigger causes a surge in blood pressure or causes the artery to constrict. A person may have a heart attack if a plaque breaks open, creating a blood clot that completely blocks blood flow through the artery. Complicated lesion: The last stage of atherosclerosis occurs when the plaque breaks open, exposing the cholesterol and tissue underneath. Blood clots form in response to this rupture and cause symptoms of a heart attack and unstable angina.
It is good to know what the signs and symptoms are. Some Signs and Symptoms include; if you have atherosclerosis in your heart arteries, you may have such symptoms as chest pain or pressure (angina). If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your brain, you may have such signs and symptoms as sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs, difficulty speaking or slurred speech, or drooping muscles in your face. These are signs of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) — which, if left untreated — may progress to a stroke. If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries in your arms and legs, you may have symptoms of peripheral artery disease, such as leg pain when walking (intermittent claudication). If you have atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to your kidneys, you develop high blood pressure or kidney
