Unit 4 Ip

Running Head: SCIE206 Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis

Jean Eastes

SCIE206-1201A-15

Abstract

Understanding Atherosclerosis and what causes it and how to prevent it will be helpful to prevent having an unwanted heart attack or stroke.

A heart attack or stroke can be caused by the buildup in the inner lining of an artery which is called plaque. The buildup consists of fatty deposits, cholesterol, cellular waste, calcium fibrin (AHA). The main function of the heart is pumping blood to and from the lungs. A sequence of alternating constrictors is the pumping action of blood (Ivy Rose).

Atherosclerosis affects both large and medium size arteries. Though it is a slow progressive disease and can start as early as in childhood. Some scientist think atherosclerosis begins because the inner most layer of the artery becomes damaged (AHA).

When the artery becomes damaged, for example by the elevation of cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, or high blood pressure, or even cigarette smoking, the walls become thickened. This leaves less room for the blood to flow thru which then lowers the amount of oxygen supply to the heart. This can in turn cause a heart attack (AHA).

Arteries contain smooth muscle fibre. With the instructions of the sympathetic nervous system, contracts and relaxes and transports oxygenated blood from the heart. There is one exception and that is the pulmonary artery (AHA).

Veins have three layers of tissue. The tissues are thinner and less elastic than the layers of arteries. Veins also have valves that transportation of deoxygenated blood to the heart by preventing flow in the reverse direction. There is one exception and that is the pulmonary vein. Capillaries are...