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September 02, 2010  
EDUCATION CENTER: Heart Conditions
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    Atherosclerosis

    Quick Reference

    Reviewed by Brian R. Robinson, MD


    Learn More
    Video Resources: See the heart at work and learn more about cardiac conditions and diagnostics.

    Videos courtesy of Guidant Corp.

    Atherosclerosis is a hardening of the arteries that can cause angina, coronary heart disease and heart attack.

    Detailed Description

    Arteries are blood vessels that carry the blood away from the heart. Atherosclerosis causes the blood vessel walls to slowly thicken and harden.


    External view of the heart
    External view of the heart with expanded view of atherosclerotic plaque.
    Illustration courtesy of Guidant Corporation copyright © 2002.
    The clogging process begins when fatty substances streak artery walls, damaging them. The artery tries to repair the damage by developing more connective tissue. This tissue thickens the vessel wall and simultaneously enables more fat, cholesterol and other substances (“plaque”) to stick to it. The plaque is hard on the outside and soft on the inside. If the hard shell cracks and exposes the soft inside, blood clots around it to heal the schism, further clogging the artery. A healthy artery should be smooth and elastic; an unhealthy artery is rough and inflexible.

    Last updated: 31-May-04

    		   
     
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