6: Figure 6.13 Animation Video
Transcript:
Progression of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis, or the hardening of the arteries, is a disease in which arteries narrow due to a buildup of plaque. A coronary artery supplies blood to the heart, delivering the oxygen the heart needs to function.
In a normal coronary artery, blood flows freely toward the heart. Atherosclerosis usually begins with an arterial injury caused by high blood pressure, smoking, high glucose levels, or high levels of fat and cholesterol. The body repairs this injury with fats, cholesterols, and other substances, creating a small buildup of plaque that begins to narrow the artery.
Over time, the plaque in the arteries accumulates, narrowing the space through which the blood can flow. If a coronary artery narrows by fifty percent, the heart may not receive sufficient amounts of blood.
Atherosclerosis can lead to a heart attack if plaque buildup increases and blocks the flow of blood. A heart attack occurs when the supply of blood is cut off to the heart, depriving the heart of the oxygen it needs to function.