What is atherosclerosis?

What is atherosclerosis?

• A. A chronic inflammatory process where lipid-rich plaques accumulate in arterial walls, causing reduced lumen diameter and impaired blood flow.
• B. A temporary vascular spasm
• C. A purely mechanical narrowing of arteries
• D. An acute infection of arterial walls

Answer: (A)

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of arteries in which lipid-rich plaques accumulate in the inner lining, or intima. These plaques grow over time, stiffening the vessel and narrowing the lumen, which impairs blood flow to tissues downstream. The plaques are not just deposits of fat; they contain lipids, inflammatory cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibrous tissue, and inflammation drives their development and progression. This process can eventually lead to reduced blood supply and, if a plaque ruptures, to clot formation that can cause an acute event like a heart attack or stroke. The other descriptions miss the combination of lipid buildup and chronic inflammation that defines atherosclerosis, focusing instead on transient spasm, purely mechanical narrowing, or infection.

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of arteries in which lipid-rich plaques accumulate in the inner lining, or intima. These plaques grow over time, stiffening the vessel and narrowing the lumen, which impairs blood flow to tissues downstream. The plaques are not just deposits of fat; they contain lipids, inflammatory cells, smooth muscle cells, and fibrous tissue, and inflammation drives their development and progression. This process can eventually lead to reduced blood supply and, if a plaque ruptures, to clot formation that can cause an acute event like a heart attack or stroke. The other descriptions miss the combination of lipid buildup and chronic inflammation that defines atherosclerosis, focusing instead on transient spasm, purely mechanical narrowing, or infection.