BRAINCAKEAtherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the hardening and narrowing of arteries caused by the build-up of fatty deposits in their walls. It develops over many years and is the main cause of most cardiovascular disease. It happens in arteries, not veins, because arterial blood is at high pressure.
The process follows a sequence:
1. Endothelial damage. The endothelium lining the artery is damaged, for example by high blood pressure or by toxins from smoking.
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Key terms in this lesson
- low-density lipoprotein
- A lipoprotein that transports cholesterol from the liver to the tissues; high blood levels are linked to a greater risk of atherosclerosis.
More in Cardiovascular Diseases
- Cardiovascular Diseases in the UK
- Aneurysms
- Raised Blood Pressure
- Heart Disease
- Angina
- Thrombosis
- Heart Attacks
- Strokes
All 20 lessons in Cardiovascular Diseases · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics