What is the cuase of an atheroma?

How can they be prevented?

What is the treatment?

Definition of Atheroma

Atheroma: A fatty deposit in the intima (inner lining) of an artery, resulting from atherosclerosis. Also called an atherosclerotic plaque, arterial plaque or, simply, a plaque.

Discuss treatments with your MD or cardiologist - drugs, surgery, lifestyle and diet all have an impact. you can immediately work on your diet and increase your daily activities, but do discuss with your MD soon!

In pathology, an atheroma (plural: atheromata) is an accumulation & swelling (-oma) in artery walls that is made up of cells (mostly macrophage cells), or cell debris, that contain lipids (cholesterol & fatty acids), calcium & a variable amount of fibrous connective tissue. In the context of heart or artery matters, atheromata r commonly referred to as atheromatous plaques. It is an unhealthy condition, but is found in most humans.[citation needed]

These anatomic lesions usually begin in some children younger than age 1 year & all children older than age 10 regardless of geography, race, sex or environment. Veins do not develop atheromata, unless surgically moved to function as an artery, as in bypass surgery. The accumulation (swelling) is always between the endothelium lining & the smooth muscle wall central region (media) of the arterial tube, see IMT. While the early stages, based on gross appearance, have traditionally been termed fatty streaks by pathologists, they r not composed of fat cells, i.e. adipose cells, but of accumulations of white blood cells, especially macrophages that have taken up oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL). After they accumulate large amounts of cytoplasmic membranes (with associated high cholesterol content) they r called foam cells. When foam cells die, their contents r released, which attracts more macrophages & creates an extracellular lipid core near the center to inner surface of each atherosclerotic plaque. Conversely, the outer, older portions of the plaque become more calcific, less metabolically active & more physically stiff over time.

Collectively, the process of atheroma development within an individual is called atherogenesis & the overall result of the disease process is termed atherosclerosis.

Hello Amirah. Ramadan Mubarak to u too!

Atheroma, or Atherosclerosis is a very complex cascade of events. l will try to expalin it as simple as possible.

1- Several diseases, including hyperglycemia (high glucose levels in blood) & hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol levels in blood) cause a sort of injury to the inner linning of the blood vessels called the endothelium.

2- Following the injury, migration of specific cells, called the macrophages & T-cells, occur. They adhere to the injured site.

3- Several muscle cells increase the lipid deposition & the fatty streaks caused by the macrophages.

4- Collagen, along with elsatin & proteoglycans r synthesized, together with the necrotic or dead cells they form a fibrous cap. This is called a plaque.

5- Following these events, a loss of endothelial function & thrombolysis malfunction occur. Depending on the blood vessel where the plaque has formed, a stroke, angina, etc can occur.

To prevent this unfortunate event, several things can be done.

1- Physical exercise on regular basis.
2- No smoking or drinking alcohol.
3- Eating healthy meals.
4- If u r sexaully active, ur husband & u should have regular check ups.
5- Try to prevent & control diabetes & hypertension.
6- Try as much as possible to avoid pollution.

The treatment is aimed to reduce the incidence rate & risk of atheroma.

1- Statins & fibrates to reduce hyperlipidemia & hypercholesterolemia.
2- Biguanides & sulfonylureas & insulin to treat diabetes.

However, if a heart attack has occured due to the athermoa, nitrates, B-Blockers, Ca channel antagonists, ACE inhibitors r used. Sometimes surgical intervention is required.

Sorry if the medical language is overwhelming. l tried to explain it as plain as possible. l hope l have helped.

Take care & God bless.

Arterial occlusive disease is a common complication of atherosclerosis. The occlusive mechanism may be endogenous, due to embolus formation or thrombosis, or exogenous, due to trauma or fracture. Predisposing factors include smoking; aging; conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, & diabetes; & a family history of vascular disorders, myocardial infarction, or stroke

What is Atheroma?
Other names for Atheroma
How serious is Atheroma?
What causes Atheroma?
Organs Affected by Atheroma
How is it treated?
Introduction: Atheroma

http://wrongdiagnosis.com/a/atheroma/basics.htm