Atherosclerosis Disease

An Atherosclerosis Disease is an arteriosclerosis that involves atherosclerotic plaque formation within arterial walls causing vessel narrowing and cardiovascular events.

• AKA: Atherosclerosis, Atherosclerotic Disease, Arterial Plaque Disease, Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease.
• Context:
  • It can typically develop Atherosclerotic Plaques through lipid accumulation.
  • It can typically cause Atherosclerotic Stenosis via lumen reduction.
  • It can typically trigger Atherosclerotic Inflammation involving immune response.
  • It can typically progress through Atherosclerotic Stages from fatty streaks.
  • It can typically affect Multiple Vascular Beds including coronary arterys.
  • It can typically contribute to Chronic Heart Disease through progressive vessel damage.
  • ...
  • It can often lead to Acute Events through plaque rupture.
  • It can often involve Atherosclerotic Risk Factors including dyslipidemia.
  • It can often require Medical Management using statin therapy.
  • It can often benefit from Lifestyle Modification addressing modifiable factors.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Subclinical Atherosclerosis Disease to being a Clinical Atherosclerosis Disease, depending on its symptom manifestation.
  • It can range from being a Stable Atherosclerosis Disease to being an Unstable Atherosclerosis Disease, depending on its plaque vulnerability.
  • It can range from being a Single-Vessel Atherosclerosis Disease to being a Multi-Vessel Atherosclerosis Disease, depending on its vascular distribution.
  • ...
  • It can be detected by Imaging Modalitys including ct angiography.
  • It can be assessed through Biomarkers measuring inflammatory markers.
  • It can be prevented by Primary Prevention targeting risk reduction.
  • It can be managed through Secondary Prevention preventing disease progression.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • Atherosclerosis Disease Locations, such as:
    • Coronary Atherosclerosis Disease affecting heart vessels.
    • Carotid Atherosclerosis Disease involving neck arterys.
    • Peripheral Atherosclerosis Disease in limb vessels.
    • Renal Atherosclerosis Disease affecting kidney arterys.
  • Atherosclerotic Plaque Types, such as:
    • Non-Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque containing lipid core.
    • Calcified Atherosclerotic Plaque with calcium deposits.
    • Mixed Atherosclerotic Plaque having heterogeneous composition.
    • Vulnerable Atherosclerotic Plaque with thin fibrous cap.
  • Atherosclerotic Clinical Presentations, such as:
    • Atherosclerotic Angina from coronary insufficiency.
    • Atherosclerotic Stroke due to cerebral ischemia.
    • Atherosclerotic Claudication causing leg pain.
    • Atherosclerotic Myocardial Infarction from coronary occlusion.
  • Atherosclerotic Severity Levels, such as:
    • Mild Atherosclerosis Disease with minimal stenosis.
    • Moderate Atherosclerosis Disease causing significant narrowing.
    • Severe Atherosclerosis Disease producing critical stenosis.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Vasculitis, which involves vascular inflammation rather than plaque formation.
  • Arterial Dissection, which causes vessel wall separation rather than plaque buildup.
  • Fibromuscular Dysplasia, which creates arterial beading rather than atherosclerotic stenosis.
  • Arterial Embolism, which causes acute vessel occlusion rather than progressive plaque accumulation.
• See: Arteriosclerosis, Vascular Disease, Cardiovascular Disease, Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke, Peripheral Artery Disease, Kidney Problems, High Blood Pressure, LDL, Cardiovascular Risk Factor, Lipid Disorder, Inflammatory Disease.

References

2021

• (Wikipedia, 2021) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atherosclerosis Retrieved:2021-8-26.
  • Atherosclerosis is a pattern of the disease arteriosclerosis in which the wall of the artery develops abnormalities, called lesions. These lesions may lead to narrowing due to the buildup of atheromatous plaque. Initially, there are generally no symptoms. When severe, it can result in coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, or kidney problems, depending on which arteries are affected. Symptoms, if they occur, generally do not begin until middle age. The exact cause is not known. Risk factors include abnormal cholesterol levels, elevated levels of inflammatory markers, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, family history, and an unhealthy diet. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. The narrowing of arteries limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to parts of the body. Diagnosis is based upon a physical exam, electrocardiogram, and exercise stress test, among others. Prevention is generally by eating a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking, and maintaining a normal weight. Treatment of established disease may include medications to lower cholesterol such as stations, blood pressure medication, or medications that decrease clotting, such as aspirin. A number of procedures may also be carried out such as percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, or carotid endarterectomy. Atherosclerosis generally starts when a person is young and worsens with age. Almost all people are affected to some degree by the age of 65. It is the number one cause of death and disability in the developed world. Though it was first described in 1575, there is evidence that the condition occurred in people more than 5,000 years ago.

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