http://www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Human Biology
Stroke
Atherosclerosis in the arteries of the brain can also lead to a stroke. Astrokeis a loss of brain function due to a
blockage of the blood supply to the brain. Risk factors for stroke include old age, high blood pressure, having a
previous stroke, diabetes, high cholesterol, and smoking. The best way to reduce the risk of stroke is to have low
blood pressure
Vocabulary
- atherosclerosis: Condition in which plaque builds up inside arteries.
- cardiovascular disease: Disease that affects the heart or blood vessels.
- coronary artery: Blood vessel that supplies the heart with oxygen.
- coronary heart disease: Build-up of of plaque in arteries that supply the heart with oxygen.
- heart attack: Blockage of blood flow to heart.
- plaque: Deposit of fatty material on the inner lining of an arterial wall.
- stroke: Loss of brain function due to a blockage of the blood supply to the brain.
Summary
- Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the inside of arteries become clogged with plaque, a deposit of fatty
material. - Atherosclerosis can be dangerous when it prevents blood circulation to the heart or the brain, causing a heart
attack or stroke.
Practice
Use the resource below to answer the questions that follow.
- Understanding Heart Diseaseat http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cW8__wFXDA (2:25)
MEDIA
Click image to the left for more content.- What is coronary artery disease? Where does it occur? What happens to someone who has coronary artery
disease? - What is congestive heart failure? What causes congestive heart failure? How does this affect your body?
Review
- What is atherosclerosis?
- How are strokes and heart attacks similar?