THE MARVELS OF THE
Circulatory System

Look After Your Arteries!

Arteriosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries," is a primary cause of death in many lands. The most common form is atherosclerosis, which results from a buildup of fatty deposits resembling oatmeal (atheromas) inside the arteries. These deposits narrow the arterial lumen, or internal space, making the artery prone to complete blockage when plaque reaches a critical stage and ruptures. Complete blockage may also be caused by roaming blood clots or muscular spasms of the arterial wall.

An especially dangerous condition is the accumulation of plaque on the walls of coronary arteries, which serve the heart's own muscle. Consequently, the heart muscle itself gets insufficient blood, a symptom of which is angina—a dull, pressing chest pain often brought on by physical exertion. If a coronary artery becomes fully blocked, it can lead to a heart attack and the death of heart muscle. A serious attack may cause the heart to stop altogether.

Risk factors for atherosclerosis include smoking, emotional stress, diabetes, obesity, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, a diet high in fats, and genetic predisposition.