A 36-year-old member asked:
What's atherosclerosis from?
4 doctor answers • 7 doctors weighed in
Dr. Jeffrey Indesanswered
Vascular Surgery 22 years experience
Multifactorial: Usually a combination of having a family history, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, high cholesterol, smoking. These are the main players.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Milton Alvis, jranswered
Preventive Medicine 43 years experience
White Blood Cells: Atherosclerosis is an accumulation of white blood cells, mostly macrophages (called monocytes, one of 5 white blood cell types), which have invaded into the walls of the blood vessel to remove low density lipoprotein (fat carrying protein) particles. The macrophages may die if overwhelmed with LDL & cannot export the ingested fat into high density lipoprotein particles. Also high glucose, bp, etc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
Dr. Milton Alvis, jr commented
Preventive Medicine 43 years experience
Provided original answer
Keep in mind that atherosclerosis, per se, does not narrow arteries. Instead, arteries enlarge at all the locations at which plaque develops (nearly always on inside curves of all bends). I figured this our in 1985 because the data did not match the theory about narrowing & this finding was first published in 1987: See: goo.gl/aRhOU2 Narrowings are the result of wall tears over plaques & clots.
Aug 30, 2014
Dr. William Cromwellanswered
Clinical Lipidology 36 years experience
Multiple Factors: Atherosclerosis, also known as “hardening of the arteries”, occurs when areas of the artery wall thicken in response to either increased modifiable (high LDL particle levels, smoking or high blood pressure )and non-modifiable (genetics, age, gender) risk factors. Over time, areas of focal thickening may grow into a larger lesion called a “plaque" that can limit blood flow through the vessel.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. J mark Rheudasilanswered
40 years experience
Plaque: buildup of plaque and cholesterol deposits, etc. in the arteries--- "hardening of the arteries". Risk factors--- smoking, family history, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, age
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.4k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
Similar questions
A 43-year-old member asked:
What is the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Shadi Abu Halimahanswered
Vascular Surgery 23 years experience
Multifactorial: Disease in the media( middle layer) of the artery with accumulation of fat, cholesterol into the wall causing inflammation which become chronic with special white blood cells called macrophages. Sometimes become calcified and sometimes can ulcerate or rupture into arterial lumen inducing emboli or clot/ thrombosis.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
CA
A 44-year-old member asked:
What are the characteristics of atherosclerosis?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Charles Jostanswered
Cardiology 38 years experience
Plaque build up: It is hardening of the arteries, caused by fat, cholesterol, and other substances building up in the arteries - this is called plaque - making the arteries stiffer. This plaque interferes with the normal function of the arteries and can cause problems and symptoms throughout the body. The plaque can block the arteries and/or it can break off and flow to smaller vessels and block them.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:
When does atherosclerosis develop?
2 doctor answers • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Latisha Smithanswered
Wound care 40 years experience
Over a lifetime: Typically cholesterol plaques start to deposit in the arteries of the body as early as age 30. By the time someone is 50 years old and 20 years of plaque build up have occurred, the narrowed arteries can start to cause symptoms of low blood flow, such as chest pain with partially blocked coronary arteries. Atherosclerosis is a slow process and monitoring should be redone regularly.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
CA
A 38-year-old member asked:
Can atherosclerosis be a contraindication?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Louis Grenzeranswered
Cardiology 57 years experience
Depends: It depends on what you mean. A contraindication to what? Exercising, flying an airplane, playing a sport? And it also would depend on how bad the atherosclerosis is. If it has not narrowed arteries enough to cause symptoms, then it probably would not lead to any restrictions.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
CA
A 25-year-old member asked:
What is the epidemiology of atherosclerosis?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Francis Uricchioanswered
Cardiology 40 years experience
Wester lifestyle: Coronary artery disease is largely a disease of western civilization. As countries become more affluent, they exercise less, consume a diet with higher fat content, and gain weight. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease increases. Thus, coronary disease will become more frequent emerging countries such as india and china.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Jun 2, 2017
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits - just $44!
50% off with $19/month membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.