5.1 Describe the changes in artery structure associated with circulatory disease.

A healthy artery is made up of several thick layers with elastic tissue walls; the lumen in the middle is a nice big, hollow space. When an artery becomes disease the structure starts to change. The endothelium is usually smooth and unbroken; damage is caused by high blood pressure. White blood cells and lipids in the blood stick together under the lining to form a fatty pouch. Overtime this occurs and builds up and hardens o form a fibrous plaque called an atheroma. The plaque blocks the lumen of the artery and restricts blood flow, causing blood pressure to increase.Atheromas increase the risk of other circulatory disease such as Aneurysm, Thrombosis and Angina all of these can have serious implications. Aneurysm changes the structure of the artery as they become weak and damaged. The inner lining of the artery gets pushed out to form a balloon shape swelling this may result to it bursting or hemorrhaging.Thrombosis ruptures the inner lining leaving a rough surface. Platelets and fibrin accumulate and form a blood clot, but the blood clot can cause a complete blood clot in the artery.Angina causes chest pain as it restricts the oxygen; the coronary arteries become narrow reducing oxygen to parts of the muscles.