What is atherosclerosis?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

To assess the question, we first recall the basic definition of atherosclerosis in cardiovascular pathology.
Option 1: 'A condition where the heart beats irregularly' describes arrhythmia, not atherosclerosis. It concerns rhythmic disturbances of the heartbeat rather than structural changes in the arteries.
Option 2: 'Thickening or hardening of arteries caused by plaque buildup' aligns with the core description of atherosclerosis, which involves build-up of lipids, cholesterol, and other substances (plaque) in the arterial walls leading to thickening and stiffening.
Option 3: 'A congenital defect of the heart' points to heart malformations present from birth, such as septal defects or abnormal valves, which is unrelated to the progressive plaque-related changes of atherosclerosis.
Option 4: 'Inflammation of the heart's outer layer' refers to pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, not to atherosclerotic changes within arterial walls. This is a separate cardiac condition.
Putting it together, the statement that correctly defines atherosclerosis is the second option, since it captures the characteristic arterial thickening and hardening due to plaque buildup. The other choices describe distinct cardiac conditions that do not describe atherosclerosis.

2025SP-HES-145-002 Quiz 11 - Cardiovascular Health

What is atherosclerosis?

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