Higher Human Biology
PATHOLOGY OF CARDIOVASCULAR
DISEASE (CVD)
 CVD is responsible for a huge proportion of
deaths annually
Atherosclerosis
 Formation of plaques (atheromas) beneath
the endothelium in an artery
 Start off as mainly fatty material (cholesterol)
 Become enlarged due to collecting fibrous
material, calcium and more cholesterol
 Larger atheromas can lead to;
 Significant reduction in diameter of arteries lumen
 Restriction of blood flow to the capillary bed
served by that artery
 An increase in blood pressure
 Large plaques hardened by deposits of
calcium cause arterial walls to become thicker
and less elastic
 “hardening of the arteries”
 Symptoms of atherosclerosis come on in later
life
 Can lead to various cardiovascular diseases;
 Coronary heart disease (inc. angina)
 Strokes
 Heart attacks (myocardial infarctions)
 Atherosclerosis can also cause peripheral
vascular disease
 http://www.nhs.uk/video/Pages/coronary-
arteries-and-heartdisease.aspx?searchtype=Tag&searchterm=H
eart_vascular__Conditions&offset=17&