BloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood is propelled to all organs of the body through the contractions of the heart, traveling through the arteries.
The arteries are made of three layers
Arteries are composed of three distinct layers: the intima, the media, and the adventitia.
The intima, the innermost layer, is thin and facilitates the smooth flow of bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood within. The media, thicker, is made up of muscle cells. Finally, the adventitia represents the outer layer that provides protection to the vessel.
“Taxi” Proteins ‘’ for cholesterol
Cholesterol, insoluble in blood, is transported by proteins acting as its carriers. These proteins, which we’ll call “cholesterol taxis,” ensure its movement throughout the body.
Streaks in the artery
From birth, the transport of cholesterolCholesterol is essential for the proper functioning of the human body, but it can also have harmful effects if present in excess. >> leaves traces on the walls of our arteries. Over time and with age, these traces thicken and may eventually form plaques inside the arterial walls.
Formation of the cholesterol plaques
The formation of atherosclerotic plaques begins with the deposition of bad cholesterolCholesterol is essential for the proper functioning of the human body, but it can also have harmful effects if present in excess. >> on the thin inner layer of the bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood vessel, the intima. It is absorbed and stored in the muscular layer of the vessel, the media.
Its presence produces inflammation.
The presence of cholesterol in the media creates inflammation. It is “eaten” by macrophages, cells that serve to clean the body. They, in turn, become filled with cholesterolCholesterol is essential for the proper functioning of the human body, but it can also have harmful effects if present in excess. >> and become trapped in the vessel wall because they are too large.
They can be imagined as large foamy cells. When they die, their contents are released, creating even more inflammation, and the cycle repeats.
Yellowish spots in our arteries
This results in the appearance of yellowish streaks inside the bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood vessels. The accumulation of these cells and their fatty contents in the vessel’s muscular layer lifts the intima, the inner layer of the vessel.
These yellowish spots inside the vessel further develop and grow larger to give rise to cholesterolCholesterol is essential for the proper functioning of the human body, but it can also have harmful effects if present in excess. >> plaques.
This process of plaque formation in the arteries is called atherosclerosis.
Contributing factors in the development of plaques
The risk of atherosclerosis is increased by several factors, including age, male gender, familial hypercholesterolemia (a genetic condition), diabetes, high bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood pressure, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity.
Possible complications
With the accumulation of cholesterolCholesterol is essential for the proper functioning of the human body, but it can also have harmful effects if present in excess. >>, arteries lose their flexibility, and calcium may deposit within the plaques. This leads to narrowing of the arteries, or even complete obstructions, requiring complex interventions to relieve symptoms by restoring adequate bloodBlood is composed of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and plasma. Red blood cells are responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide. White blood cells make up our immune defense system. Platelets contribute to blood flow.
A rupture of one of these plaques can lead to serious health problems.
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