Atherosclerosis. Light micrograph of a section through a coronary artery showing an atheroma (fatty) plaque blocking part of its lumen (central cavity


Atherosclerosis. Light micrograph of a section through a coronary artery showing an atheroma (fatty) plaque blocking part of its lumen (central cavity). This is caused by the disease atherosclerosis. The plaques cause affected arteries to harden and narrow. This can restrict the blood flow to organs, causing damage. If a plaque ruptures, it can cause a blood clot. If this happens in a coronary artery it will cause a heart attack; if it happens in an artery supplying the brain it will cause a stroke.


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Photo credit: © CNRI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
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