Question

Mr. K. is a 57-year-old man who consulted his physician after noticing marked leg pains while playing golf. He had previously noticed increasing fatigue and discomfort in his legs associated with moderate exercise. When sitting for extended periods with legs dangling, his legs became red, and sometimes his feet felt numb. His history indicates he smokes cigarettes and is chronically overweight. His blood cholesterol and other lipid levels are abnormal, and his physician suspects peripheral atherosclerosis as the cause of his discomfort.

Discuss the development of atherosclerosis, including the predisposing factors in this case and the pathophysiological changes.

Answer 1

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which hardening and narrowing of the artery occur, due to this blood flow to the respective area is compromised.

It blocks the arteries slowly and silently.

The risk factor includes

1.High blood cholesterol level

2. smoking

3.Sedentary lifestyle

4. Diabetes

5. Bad food habit

6. Hypertension

Pathophysiological changes

There is a mucosal layer inside the blood vessels called endothelium. it helps to keep the inner wall of artery smooth and toned, which helps in the continued flowing of blood.

In atherosclerosis, the endothelium is damaged due to risk factors, and it leads to the formation of plaque and blocks the blood flow.

The endothelium is damaged due to several risk factor, When bad cholesterol LDL(Low-density lipoproteins) crosses the damaged endothelium, the cholesterol enters the wall of the artery through the damage.

That causes WBC to stream in and digest LDL, over year, it becomes a plaque and slowly blocks the blood flow.

And, it can rupture and go to brain, heart and other places, to block the tiny arteries.