Pathology of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

The pathology of cardiovascular disease (CVD) primarily involves two key processes: atherosclerosis and thrombosis. These conditions significantly impact the health of blood vessels and can lead to serious complications.

Definition: Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of fatty material, mainly cholesterol, fibrous material, and calcium, under the endothelium of blood vessels, forming an atheroma or plaque.

As atherosclerosis progresses, the artery walls thicken and lose elasticity, reducing the lumen diameter. This restriction in blood flow results in increased blood pressure and can lead to various cardiovascular diseases such as angina, heart attacks, and strokes.

Highlight: Atherosclerosis is the root cause of many cardiovascular diseases, affecting blood flow and organ function throughout the body.

Thrombosis, another critical aspect of CVD pathology, involves the formation of blood clots. When atheromas rupture, they damage the endothelium and release clotting factors, initiating the clotting cascade.

Vocabulary: Prothrombin is an inactive precursor that is converted to thrombin, which then converts fibrinogen into fibrin threads.

These fibrin threads form a meshwork that platelets adhere to, creating a clot. While this process is essential for wound healing, it can be dangerous in the context of CVD.

Example: In a healthy scenario, clot formation helps create a scaffold for new tissue to form during wound healing. However, in CVD, this same process can lead to dangerous blockages in blood vessels.