Atherosclerosis is a condition where fatty plaques build up inside arteries, restricting blood flow. It starts with damage to artery walls from risk factors like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, or diabetes. Over time, fatty substances and other materials accumulate as plaque in artery walls. Diagnostic tests like blood tests, ultrasounds, and imaging can detect atherosclerosis by measuring cholesterol levels, blood pressure, blood flow, and calcium deposits in arteries. Treatment focuses on modifying risk factors through lifestyle changes and medications to lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and prevent blood clots.

1. ATHEROSCLEROSIS
GUIDED BY : PRESENTED BY :
Mrs. T. Rajeshwari G RAJENDAR REDDY
256214881032
B PHARM
FOURTH YEAR

2. • The term atherosclerosis ,which comes from
the greek words atheros means “gruel” and
sclerosis means “hardness”.
• It is a condition in which the inside of artery
narrows due to the build up of fatty materials
such as cholesterol.
• It can restrict the blood flow. These plaques
can also burst causing a blood clot.

3. Atherosclerosis starts with damage or injury to the
inner layer of an artery. The damage may be
caused by :
 High blood pressure
 High cholesterol
 An irritant , such as nicotine
 Certain diseases , such as diabetes.

4.  It is a slow and progressive building up of plaque,
Fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste
products , calcium and fibrin in the lining of
artery.

5. They are :
a. Chilomycrons
b. Low density lipoprotiens {LDL}
c. Very low density lipoprotiens {VLDL}
d. High density lipoprotiens {HDL}

6. Increased in LDL level
Oxidised LDL formation
Damage to vascular endothelium
Stimulation of immune system
Adhesion of monocytes and convert to
macrophages

7. Macrophages engulf oxidised LDL (foam cells)
Attachment of platelets/T-lymphocytes
Release of growth factors/cytokins
Atherosclerotic plaque formation
Formation of fatty streaks

9. MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS :
 Nicotine use (i.e, tobacco smoking, chewing)
 Diet (contributing to hyperlipidimia)
 Hypertension
 Diabetes
 Stress
NON MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS :
 Age
 Gender
 Family history

11. Based on physical examination doctors may suggest
one or more diagnostic tests including :
1. Blood test
2. Doppler ultra sound
3. Ankle brachial index
4. Imaging test
5. Angiogram
6. ECG

12.  It can detect increased levels of cholesterol and blood sugar that may
increase the risk of atherosclerosis.
DOPPLER ULTRASOUND :
 It measures the BP at various points along arm or leg. these helps the
doctor to detect any blockages ,as well as the speed of blood flow in
arteries.
ANKLE BRACHIAL INDEX :
 This test can tell if one have atherosclerosis in arteries in legs and feet,
doctor may compare the BP in ankle with the BP in the arm. This is
known as ankle brachial index.

13. IMAGING TEST :
This test can show hardening and narrowing of large arteries as well as
calcium deposits in the artery walls. this test may use ultrasound , CT
scan or magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA).
ANGIOGRAM :
It gives better view of blood flow through heart, brain ,arms or legs, doctor
may inject a special dye in to your arteries before an x- ray.
ECG :
It can record electrical signals as they travel through your heart . it can also
reveal evidence of a previous heart attack.

14.  Get regular medical checkups
 Cessation of cigarette smoking
 Control blood pressure
 Maintain a healthy weight
 Eat heart - healthy diet
 Exercise, and lowering total
and LDL blood cholesterol
levels while increasing
HDL .
 Manage stress

16. ANTICOAGULANTS :
An anticoagulant , such as heparin or warfarin ( coumadin ) helps in
prevention of clot.
ANTIPLATELETS :
They can prevent the clumping of blood in narrow arteries ,to form a blood
clot and cause further blockage.
BETA BLOCKER MEDICATIONS :
These medications are commonly used for coronary artery disease. They
lower your heart rate and blood pressure, reducing the demand on your
heart and often relieve symptoms of chest pain. Beta blockers reduce the
risk of heart attacks and some heart rhythm problems
ACE INHIBITORS :
These medications may help slow the progression of atherosclerosis by
lowering blood pressure and producing other beneficial effects on the
heart arteries. ACE inhibitors can also reduce the risk of recurrent heart
attacks.
CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS :
These medications lower blood pressure and are sometimes used to treat
angina.

17. CHOLESTEROL MEDICATIONS:
 Aggressively lowering your low-density
lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol,
can slow, stop or even reverse the buildup of fatty
deposits in your arteries.
 The mainly used cholesterol medications in the
treatment of atherosclerosis is given below

19. Adverse effects :
Rhabdomyolysis
Skin rashes
hepatotoxicity

20. ADVERSE EFFECTS :
Rhabdomyolysis
Hepatotoxicity
GI disturbances

21.  These are anion exchange resins which binds to bile acids and inhibits
enterohepatic cycle.
 Formation of complex with bile acid decrease cholesterol level,which
further decreases VLDL and LDL levels .
EZETIMIBE :
Acts on NPC1 L1 receptor present in the duodenum and decrease the
absorption of cholesterol .

22.  Jump up to: a b c d e f "What Are the Signs and
Symptoms of Atherosclerosis? - NHLBI, NIH".
www.nhlbi.nih.gov. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 5
November 2017.
 Jump up to: a b "What Causes Atherosclerosis? -
NHLBI, NIH". www.nhlbi.nih.gov. 22 June 2016.
Retrieved 6 November 2017.
 Jump up to: a b c "Who Is at Risk for Atherosclerosis? -
NHLBI, NIH". www.nhlbi.nih.gov. 22 June 2016.
Retrieved 5 November 2017.
 Jump up to: a b "How Can Atherosclerosis Be
Prevented or Delayed? - NHLBI, NIH".
www.nhlbi.nih.gov. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 6
November 2017