what is the connection between atherosclerosis and blood clots?

Answer 1

Atherosclerosis is caused by cholesteral plaques that form in the blood vessel walls, narrowing the space that blood passes. This increases the chance of blood adhesion to the blood vessel walls and increase blood cells clumping together. When this is dislodged into the blood stream, it forms a mobile and, if large enough, potential clot. Sometimes, the plaques rupture and can add to the increase in mobile material being passed around the blood stream and this may also lead to a clot.

Answer 2

There are various ways this can happen.
In general terms, atherosclerosis causes: 1. increased rigidity of the vessel and 2. narrowing of its lumen.
The principle (to avoid technicisms) is blood needs to keep on moving. If it stops, it clots. If the blood is forced to cross very narrow places, or too rigid tubes, what happens is a fraction of the flow remains inmovile, always left behind, and it clots.
There are other factors that make things worse (cholesterol triggers the deposit of fibring, starting clots...), but this is the simplest and most real explanation.

Answer 3

If the atherosclerotic areas just sit there and behave themselves, not much. But atherosclerotic plaques occasionally rupture through the intima (the inside lining of the artery), and naturally a clot will form in the area of the fresh wound inside the vessel.

Answer 4

The junk on the inside of the arteries is easier for blood to cling to than the smooth walls of the artery.

Answer 5

the junk refered to ^ is hardened arteries due to atheromatus plague (cholesterol caused i think)