Atheromas

What are atheromas?

Hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis and atheromas are the same thing.

Causes of atheromas

At birth, the blood vessels are flexible and elastic. The blood can flow through them easily. As people grow older, fat deposits start to form on the walls of the arteries. These fat deposits gradually build up, forming lumps. These fatty lumps protrude into the inside of the arteries, thus reducing the blood flow.

Who are likely to have atheromas?

The extent of arteries damage and the rate at which blood flow is reduced are affected by the level of fats or lipids in the blood. Among the most well known lipids in the blood is the low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol which people know as the 'bad cholesterol'. People who have high levels of LDL cholesterol in their blood are more likely to develop severe atheroma.

People with low levels of high desity lipoprotein (HDL) are also at greater risk of having atheromas.

The effects and spread of atheroma

As the areas of atheroma grow, they thicken and weaken the wall fo the artery and reduce blood flow to any organ. Atheroma of the arteries:

• to the brain can lead to a stroke
• to the limbs can lead to gangrene
• to the heart can lead to a heart attack