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Have a little read: ... Diet and Coronary Heart Disease What is the cardiovascular system? ? Made up of the heart and blood vessels. ? It circulates oxygenated blood around the body using one set of vessels and deoxygenated blood around the body through another set of vessels. What is cardiovascular disease? ? This is a term used to 'blanket' many diseases which occur within the cardiovascular system. Hypertension ? Hypertension is also known as high blood pressure, it is commonly associated with narrowing of the arteries. ? This causes blood to be pumped with excessive force against the artery walls. ? It is a sign that the heart and blood vessels are being overworked. ? Untreated, hypertension will cause the heart to eventually overwork itself to the point where serious damage can occur. ? Hypertension can be both the cause and effect of atherosclerosis. ? Atherosclerosis can be thought to increase the risk of hypertension by increasing the resistance to blood flow. ? This can occur as atheromata increase friction between the blood and endothelium of the artery. ? Atheromata may also reduce the elasticity of arteries. Atherosclarosis ? This is a condition when the large arteries of the body become hardened and narrowed by the build up of deposits inside the artery wall. ? These deposits are known as atheroma/atheromata or plaque. ? Atherosclerosis is usually only found in adults. This is thrombosis in the left anterior descending coronary artery opened longitudinally here over the surface of the heart. This is another complication of atherosclerosis. Coronary Atherosclerosis (Elastic Stain). Atheroma ? These are deposits of mainly cholesterol and other fatty materials from the blood plasma. ? These deposits build up inside the artery wall of large arteries. ? When atheroma build up in the coronary arteries, this condition and its associated effects is known as Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) ? Atheroma build up is thought to begin in areas of the arteries, which have been damaged in some way. ? The damage may be caused by hypertension or smoking. Coronary heart disease ? Coronary heart disease starts when plaque begins building up on the interior lining of the coronary artery walls. ? As the plaque increases the area for blood flow diminishes. ? If the process is allowed to continue, the risk of a blood clot forming or getting logged in the artery increases. ? Eventually a complete blockage could occur What is angina? ? This can occur by pain in the chest region ? Narrowing of the coronary arteries and their inability to supply enough oxygen to heart muscle