What is an atheroma and how can it lead to a heart attack?

Atheroma = Formed of a hard fibrious plaque containing fatty streaks that have hardened over time (through damage such as high blood pressure). There is a build up of cholesterol and other insoluble lipids collect on the inside a coronary artery.

The plaque weakens the CORONARY artery wall and the plaque may also form a blood clot (Thrombosis). The blood clot causes the coronary artery to become blocked and therefore the lumen of the artery is narrowed. This in turn restricts blood flow and the oxygen supply to HEART MUSCLE which prevents respiration. There will be less ATP production and heart muscle will slowly die which leads to MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION (a heart attack)

Main points to remember:

1. Atheroma may form blood clot (Thrombosis) in Coronary artery

2. Artery becomes blocked

3. Restricted blood flow

4. Less Oxygen to heart muscle preventing respiration

5. Heart muscle dies

Words in capitals = Important vocab to remember