Atherosclerosis refers to what?

Atherosclerosis refers to what?

• A. The gradual blockage of arteries due to plaque buildup.
• B. The sudden rupture of arteries.
• C. Enlargement of veins.
• D. Inflammation of capillaries.

Answer: (A)

Atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive disease of the arteries in which plaques accumulate on the inner walls, gradually narrowing the vessel lumen and reducing blood flow. These plaques are made of lipids, cholesterol, calcium, and inflammatory cells; injury to the endothelium starts a process that begins with fatty streaks and can advance to more complex, stable or unstable plaques. Reduced blood flow from this narrowing can lead to ischemia in organs like the heart or brain, and if a plaque ruptures, it can trigger a thrombus and acute events such as a heart attack or stroke. The other options describe different vascular problems—sudden artery rupture is an acute event, enlargement of veins refers to varicose-type changes, and inflammation of capillaries involves the microcirculation, not arterial plaque buildup.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive disease of the arteries in which plaques accumulate on the inner walls, gradually narrowing the vessel lumen and reducing blood flow. These plaques are made of lipids, cholesterol, calcium, and inflammatory cells; injury to the endothelium starts a process that begins with fatty streaks and can advance to more complex, stable or unstable plaques. Reduced blood flow from this narrowing can lead to ischemia in organs like the heart or brain, and if a plaque ruptures, it can trigger a thrombus and acute events such as a heart attack or stroke. The other options describe different vascular problems—sudden artery rupture is an acute event, enlargement of veins refers to varicose-type changes, and inflammation of capillaries involves the microcirculation, not arterial plaque buildup.