Pathology 3245B Lecture Notes - Stroke, Angina Pectoris, Cardiovascular Disease
11 Feb 2013
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Document Summary
Leading cause of death, 45%, in developed world. Incidence decreasing in developed countries but increasing in developing countries. Overall global burden to double in next few decades. More deaths from heart disease in men. Although more men have strokes, more women die of them (because men tend to have strokes younger, which allows for more survival) Affects large and medium sized arteries, therefore a systemic disease. Note carotid artery, supplying the blood to the brain, is considered a medium to large vessel. Atheromas (fibrofatty plaques that consists of fibrous tissue and fat) forms inside the vessel and causes vessel stenosis (narrowing). Atheromas build in the intima - the (normally) thin endothelial inside lining of the blood vessel. They do not extend into the muscle layer of the vessel. Resultant ischemia (blood flow reduction and absense of oxygen) results in end-organ damage (sympotomatic disease)
