2006-11-27 17:27:24 · 2 answers · asked by boobee_e 1 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
Basically, it's plaque buildup in your aorta. Atheromas can cause embolisms, stroke, etc.
2006-11-27 18:04:56 · answer #1 · answered by Griff 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An atheroma is a lipid (cholesterol) laden plaque. The aorta is the largest artery in the body. Plaques are 1st noted in virtually all people in the aorta although the reason for this is unknown. Aortic atheromas may be found in about 1/3rd of people by age 21 suggesting that the origins of narrowing of the arteries begins in children. We still lack guidelines for testing teenagers. I do not suggest this unless there is a family history suggesting that the heart disease in the parents is due to an inherited disorder of lipids (cholesterol).
2006-11-28 09:43:25 · answer #2 · answered by john e russo md facm faafp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋