Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a build-up of lipids, complex carbohydrates, blood and blood products, fibrous tissues and calcium deposits in plaques that settle in the tunica intima, the inner surface of the arteries. It is not an illness but a focal process which is also, and most importantly, the main factor in causing heart attacks, strokes and obstructive arteriopathy of the lower limbs.
It is easy to see that atherosclerosis has considerable repercussions on public health. The pathologies connected with it represent the second cause of death worldwide. In developed countries they are the main cause of death, and particularly in the countries of northern Europe and North America.
- What are the principal risk factors in atheroscleroris?
- What is its role in inducing heart attacks, angina and strokes?
- What preventive action can be taken after an initial attack?
Written by two leading specialists in vascular diseases, this book sets out to inform readers of the most recent progress in atherosclerosis research. It also includes a remarkable range of full-colour photographs - mainly in the introductory part devoted to a description of lesions – as well as numerous explanatory diagrams.
In order to give readers a better understanding of the sequence of mechanisms that lead to the development of atherosclerosis, a large part of the book is devoted to the physiopathology of the condition. The authors look at uncomplicated atherosclerosis through to stages I to V. An entire chapter is given over to arterial thombosis, bringing together all the information currently available on the subject. A complete and thoroughly researched book.