Arteriosclerosis : Formation Of Plaques In The Blood Vessels

It is characterised by the formation of plaques in the blood vessels of the heart. Arteriosclerosis is the hardening of the arterioles. These plaques are formed by the accumulation of white blood macrophages. The functional high density lipoprotein (HDL) are unable to remove the low density lipoproteins(LDL).

The LDLs that is the low density lipoproteins carry the function of carrying the cholesterol in the blood stream to form brain tissue or vitamin D. The LDL has a tendency to get oxidised which happens in the arteries as they carry oxygenated blood. This leads to damage of artery wall which responds by accumulation of macrophages. The muscle wall of the artery becomes enlarged and a hard core is formed around the artery causing narrowing of the artery , decreasing the blood flow and thereby causing high blood pressure.

In severe cases this atherosclerosis will lead to rupture of this plaque causing the formation of the thrombus which will lead to reduction in the blood flow to the tissues and organs and can lead to death within a few minutes.