The Diseased Cardiovascular States

School of Life Sciences

School of Medicine

• Arteries, the blood vessels that carry oxygen and blood to the heart and other parts of the body build up plaque inside their walls
• Gradually, as the plaque builds up in the inner walls, the artery narrows hence restricting blood flow to the heart, brain and other parts of the body
• Atherosclerosis is the main cause of cardiovascular heart disease
• When arteries supplying blood and oxygen to the heart are affected the consequence is angina
• When the arteries carrying blood and oxygen to the brain are affected the consequence is stroke
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• Click here to see another illustration of a blocked artery

So how does your cholesterol intake contribute to atherosclerosis?

1. Cholesterol in the presence of fatty materials, calcium and blood components form a plaque which bind to the artery wall lining
2. Plaques can be unstable and rupture and burst which causes blood clotting inside the artery. If a blood clot totally blocks the artery, it stops the blood flow completely. This is what happens in most heart attacks and strokes
3. High levels of cholesterol in the blood, inflammation and damage to the artery wall appear to play important roles in plaque formation

Because atherosclerosis cause narrowing and and blocking of arteries due to build up of plaque inside the artery, it restricts blood flow to the heart resulting in Angina.   Angina is usually associated with chest pain.

Symptoms of Angina

1. Discomfort is felt in and around the chest , shoulders jaw, neck back or arms.

The diagnosis of Angina

1. Talking to the patient
2. X-rays
3. ECG
4. Nuclear stress test

Want to know more?

Click on the links below to obtain more information about atherosclerosis:

• National cholesterol Education Program National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Click on the links below to obtain more information about angina

• Heart service information
• American college of cardiology