Posted: September 2nd, 2022

Pathophysiology of Atherosclerosis

Pathophysiology of Atherosclerosis
The selected disorder is atherosclerosis which occurs as a result of fat accumulation in the artery walls. The symptoms include pain during exercise, stroke, heart attack or erectile dysfunction (Ward, Olausson, Ljunggren, Li & Yuan, 2017). The selected factor is genetics which contributes to the cardiovascular disease. The scenario involves a married woman of four daughters who experiences heart attacks periodically. The 64-year-old woman has been battling with atherosclerosis for over five years. Her mother and grandfather died of heart attack as a result of atherosclerosis. She is worried that the condition may be hereditary and that she may be headed to the same fate. The nurses have examined her condition and advised her to take healthy meals and exercise regularly. She has faithfully followed the instructions but the condition seems persistent. She is currently seeking treatment for her condition and prevention of the disease among her four daughters.
The genetic factor is a major contributing factor to the disease. Research studies suggest that atherosclerosis may be inherited due to interactions of multiple genetic and environmental factors (Ward, Olausson, Ljunggren, Li & Yuan, 2017). People with siblings or parents with atherosclerosis are at a higher risk of contracting the disease. Single-gene disorders have remarkable contribution to atherosclerosis. Endothelial dysfunction increases the susceptibility of the disease by impairing the endothelial cells on the walls of blood vessels (Sookoian & Pirola, 2017). For example, genetic factors are responsible for coronary artery disease which is responsible for endothelial cell dysfunction among Korean males. The genetic variations that occur in patients of atherosclerosis involve Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) which alter the DNA of a person (Ward, Olausson, Ljunggren, Li & Yuan, 2017). The variations are responsible for atherosclerosis among family members. However, other factors that cause the disease include breathing polluted air and diabetes. The two conditions lead to build-up of cholesterol levels in the arteries. When the build-up occurs, the condition might be painful or the artery may be blocked leading to severe symptoms such as mini-strokes or a heart attack.
Endothelial cells are involved in atherosclerosis since they are cells on the walls of arteries that become narrow compared to opening up to allow easy flow of blood. The cellular function changes due to accumulation of lips leading to foam cell formation (Gimbrone Jr & García-Cardeña, 2016). The accumulation limits the proper flow of oxygen-rich blood thus leading to poor supply of oxygen to the crucial organs. The poor flow of blood leads to restriction of adequate blood flow which causes infraction of tissues. The condition can, however, be prevented if the risks associated with the disease can be altered. When the alterations are not stopped they cause endothelial cells to dysfunction (Gimbrone Jr & García-Cardeña, 2016). The cellular function of endothelial cells is to dilate to allow the blood to flow freely. However, the formation of a plaque leads to constriction of the vessels thus making it hard for crucial organs from receiving the required amount of oxygen.
Therefore, it is important for a person to carry out the necessary tests that will assess the severity of the condition. The tests should show the ability of the vessels to allow easy flow of blood without any constriction of the vessels (Sookoian & Pirola, 2017). Early treatment is necessary since it will lower the chances of severe conditions which may emanate from the constriction of blood vessels. The condition can lead to a heart attack or other severe conditions and thus early treatment is necessary.

References
Gimbrone Jr, M. A., & García-Cardeña, G. (2016). Endothelial cell dysfunction and the pathobiology of atherosclerosis. Circulation Research, 118(4), 620-636.
Sookoian, S., & Pirola, C. J. (2017). Genetic predisposition in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Clinical and Molecular Hepatology, 23(1), 1.
Ward, L., Olausson, P., Ljunggren, S., Li, W., & Yuan, X. M. (2017). Proteomic analysis and multivariate modeling reveal gender-specific alterations in distinct regions of human carotid atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis, 263, e52.

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