Answer to Question #165276 in Microbiology for Win

Question

Explain the changes that high salt, high cholesterol and smoking may have on the structure of arteries to cause atherosclerosis

Answer 1

Effects of high salt on structure of arteries: Eating too much salt may lead to high blood pressure which can damage the arteries leading to the brain. Over time, the damage may become so severe that arteries burst or are completely clogged leading to artherosclerosis.

Effects of high cholesterol: Hypercholesterolemia which is a result of high blood cholesterol causes LDL cholesterols to build up in the arteries, clogging them and Making them less flexible. Blood flow is impaired through the stiff arteries, resulting in artherosclerosis.

Effects of smoking: Too much smoking results in acute increase in arterial stiffness. Smoking increases the formation of plaque in blood vessels. Chemicals in cigarettes smoke cause the blood to thicken and form clots inside arteries. This results in construction (tightening) of blood vessels in the skin, resulting in a drop in skin temperature.