Arteriosclerosis and Atherosclerosis

Definition and Types

• Arteriosclerosis: a chronic inflammatory response that leads to the thickening and hardening of arterial walls, resulting in reduced blood flow to organs and tissues.
• Two main types:
  • Atherosclerosis: the most common form, characterized by the buildup of plaque (fatty deposits, cholesterol, and cellular waste) in the inner lining of arteries.
  • Arteriolosclerosis: affects smaller arteries, causing thickening of the vessel wall and narrowing of the lumen.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Atherosclerosis:
  • High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
  • Smoking
  • High blood pressure
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Physical inactivity
  • Family history
• Arteriolosclerosis:
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • Kidney disease
  • Aging

Pathophysiology

• Atherosclerosis:
  • Fatty streaks form in the intima (innermost layer) of the artery
  • Inflammation and immune response lead to the formation of plaque
  • Plaque rupture can cause thrombosis, leading to acute coronary syndromes
• Arteriolosclerosis:
  • Hyaline arteriolosclerosis: deposition of hyaline material in the arteriolar wall
  • Hyperplastic arteriolosclerosis: proliferation of smooth muscle cells and thickening of the vessel wall

Symptoms and Complications

• Atherosclerosis:
  • Chest pain (angina) or heart attack (myocardial infarction)
  • Stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Arteriolosclerosis:
  • Hypertension
  • Kidney disease
  • Retinopathy
  • Cardiovascular disease

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Diagnostic tools:
  • Imaging techniques (e.g., ultrasonography, angiography, MRI)
  • Blood tests (e.g., lipid profile, blood glucose)
• Treatment:
  • Lifestyle modifications (e.g., diet, exercise, smoking cessation)
  • Medications (e.g., statins, antihypertensives, antiplatelet agents)
  • Angioplasty or stenting
  • Bypass surgery