GENERAL OBJECTIVE:-

At the end of class, student will be able to acquire adequate knowledge regarding “ Atherosclerosis” and will be able to apply this
knowledge in theoretical as well as clinical setting with positive attitude.

Specific Objective:-

At the end of class, student will be able to understand

1. Introduction of Atherosclerosis.
2. Definition of Atherosclerosis.
3. Stages of Atherosclerosis
4. Causes of Atherosclerosis.
5. Risk Factor of Atherosclerosis
6. Symptoms of Atherosclerosis
7. Diagnostic Evaluation of Atherosclerosis .
8. Management of Atherosclerosis
9. Summary
10. Conclusion
Time Specific Content Teaching activity Learning Av aids Evaluation
Objective activity

3 min Introduce the INTRODUCTION:- Explanation Active listening Power Are u know
Atherosclerosis point Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is the gradual buildup of plaque in the
?
walls of your arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry
oxygen-rich blood to organs and tissues throughout your
body. Plaque (atheroma) is a sticky substance made of
fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances.
As plaque builds up, your artery wall grows thicker and
harder. This “hardening of the arteries” is usually a silent
process in the early stages. You may not notice symptoms
for a long time. But eventually, as the plaque grows, the
opening (lumen) of your artery narrows, leaving less room
for blood to flow. This means less blood can reach your
organs and tissues. Plus, the constant force of blood flow
can lead to plaque erosion or rupture, causing a blood
 clot to form.
A narrowed artery is like a highway reduced to one lane.
But a blood clot is like a barricade in the middle of the
road. It blocks blood flow to certain organs or tissues the
artery normally feeds. The effects on your body depend on
where the blood clot forms. For example, blockages in
a coronary artery deprive your heart of oxygen-rich blood,
leading to a heart attack.
To define Chart
Atherosclerosis
DEFINITION:-
Define
2 min ACCORDING TO HARINDERJEET:- Explanation Active listening
Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is the gradual buildup of plaque in the
walls of your arteries.

To explain STAGES OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS

Power
stages of The stages of atherosclerosis happen over many years and
2 min point
Atherosclerosis include: Lecture Active listening How many
stages of
 Endothelial damage and immune
Atherosclerosis?
response:- Damage to your endothelium triggers
chemical processes that cause white blood cells to
travel to the injury site. These cells gather and lead
to inflammation within your artery.
 Fatty streak formation:- This is the first visible
 sign of atherosclerosis. It’s a yellow streak or patch
of dead foam cells at the site of endothelial damage.
In this case, foam cells are white blood cells that
consume cholesterol to try to get rid of it.
Continued foam cell activity causes further damage
to your endothelium.
 Plaque growth:-Dead foam cells and other debris
keep building up, turning a fatty streak into a larger
piece of plaque. A fibrous cap (made of smooth
muscle cells) forms over the plaque. This cap
prevents bits of plaque from breaking off into your
bloodstream. As the plaque grows, it gradually
narrows your artery’s opening (lumen), so there’s
less room for blood to flow through.
 Plaque rupture or erosion:- In this stage, a blood
clot forms in your artery due to plaque rupture or
plaque erosion. Plaque rupture happens when the
fibrous cap that covers the plaque breaks open.
With plaque erosion, the fibrous cap stays intact,
but endothelial cells around the plaque get worn
away. Both events lead to the formation of a blood
clot. The clot blocks blood flow and can lead to a
 heart attack or stroke. Chart
CAUSES:-
Explanation Active listening
 Atherosclerosis is a slowly worsening disease that
To describe may begin as early as childhood. The exact cause is What are the
causes of unknown. It may start with damage or injury to the causes of
2 min
Atherosclerosis inner layer of an artery. The damage may be caused Atherosclerosis

by: ?

 High blood pressure

 High cholesterol
 High triglycerides, a type of fat (lipid) in the blood
 Smoking or chewing tobacco
 Diabetes
 Insulin resistance
 Obesity
 Inflammation from an unknown cause or from
diseases such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis or
Chart
inflammatory bowel disease
RISK FACTORS Lecture Active listening
Risk factors include:
What are the
To point out  Being older than age 45 (for people assigned male
risk factor of
risk factor of
2min Atherosclerosis at birth or AMAB). Atherosclerosis?
 Being older than age 55 (for people assigned female
at birth or AFAB).
 Family history of premature cardiovascular disease.
This means a close biological family member
who’s AMAB received a cardiovascular disease
diagnosis before age 45. Or, one who’s AFAB got a
diagnosis before age 55.
 Diabetes.
 High blood pressure (hypertension).
 High cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), especially high
LDL cholesterol or high levels of a specific
lipoprotein called lipoprotein (a).
 Smoking or tobacco use.
 Lack of physical activity.
 Eating foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, sodium Poster

and sugar.
To enlist Lecture cum Active listening
symptoms of SYMPTOMS:- discussion
What are the
Atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis is a “silent” condition during its early
symptoms of
3 min stages, meaning it doesn’t usually manifest with any
Atherosclerosis?
evident symptoms until a significant blood flow blockage
 occurs.
Once symptoms develop, these may include:
 chest pain (stable angina)
 pain in your leg, arm, and other regions supplied by
the blocked artery
 cramping in the buttocks while walking
 heart palpitations
 shortness of breath
 fatigue
 mental confusion if the blockage affects circulation
to your brain
 weakness and loss of sensation on one side of the
body (hemiparesis) if the blockage affects brain
circulation
 muscle weakness and cramps in your legs from lack
of circulation Black
board
To describe COMPLICATION:- Explanation Active listening
complication Untreated atherosclerosis may lead to:
of  stroke What are the
2 min Atherosclerosis  heart attack
complications of
 abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
  coronary artery disease (CAD) Atherosclerosis?
 carotid artery disease
 peripheral arterial disease
 kidney disease and kidney failure Power
DIAGNOSTIC EVALUATION:- point
To enumerate Lecture Active listening
?
diagnostic Your healthcare provider may order additional tests to

evaluation of diagnose atherosclerosis and plan treatment. These tests How to diagnose
2 min Atherosclerosis include: Atherosclerosis
 Angiography:- This test uses special X-rays and a
contrast dye to locate and measure blockages.
 Ankle-brachial index:- This test compares the
blood pressure in your ankle to the pressure in your
arm to measure blood flow in your arms and legs.
 Chest X-ray:- A chest X-ray takes pictures of the
inside of your chest.
 CT scan (computed tomography scan):- This scan
takes pictures of the inside of your body and can
show any hardening and narrowing of your large
arteries.
 Heart MRI (magnetic resonance imaging):- This
test can show issues with blood flow in your
 arteries.
 Echocardiogram (echo):- An echo takes pictures
of your heart’s valves and chambers and measures
how well your heart pumps.
 Electrocardiogram (EKG):- An EKG measures
your heart’s electrical activity, rate and rhythm.
 Exercise stress test:-This test measures your heart
function while you’re physically active.
 Carotid ultrasound:- This test takes ultrasound
pictures of the arteries in your neck (carotid
arteries). It can detect hardening or narrowing of
these arteries as blood flows to your brain.
 Abdominal ultrasound:- This ultrasound takes
pictures of your abdominal aorta. It checks for
ballooning (abdominal aortic aneurysm) or plaque
buildup in your aorta. Flip card
To describe MANAGEMENT:-
Lecture Active listening
management of
Medical Management:-
Atherosclerosis Explain
Medications can slow down the progression of
management of
7 atherosclerosis. These may include:
Atherosclerosis?
 cholesterol-lowering drugs, including statins
min  angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, to
lower blood pressure if needed
 beta-blockers, to help your heart “rest”
 antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, to prevent blood
from clotting and clogging your arteries
 Aspirin can be particularly effective for people with
a history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease,
including heart attack and stroke.
Surgical management
If symptoms are severe or if muscle or skin tissue is in
jeopardy, a healthcare professional may recommend
surgery.
Possible surgeries for treating atherosclerosis include:
 bypass surgery, which involves using a vessel from
somewhere else in your body or a synthetic tube to
divert blood around your blocked or narrowed
artery
 thrombolytic therapy, which involves dissolving a
blood clot by injecting a drug into your affected
artery
 angioplasty and percutaneous coronary
 intervention, which involves using a catheter and a
balloon to expand your artery, sometimes inserting
a stent to keep the artery open
 atherectomy, which involves removing plaque from
your arteries by using a catheter with a sharp blade
at one end
 endarterectomy, which involves surgically
removing fatty deposits from the carotid artery
Nursing Management:-
1.Promote Tissue Perfusion:
1. Encourage regular physical activity within the
patient’s capabilities to improve blood flow and
promote collateral circulation.
2. Assist with positioning to optimize blood flow to
affected areas (e.g., elevating legs for peripheral
artery disease).
3. Provide warm compresses or heating pads to
promote vasodilation and enhance tissue perfusion.
4. Educate the patient on the importance of
maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol
levels to support adequate perfusion.
2. Monitor and Manage Skin Integrity:
1. Perform regular skin assessments to identify areas
of compromised circulation and potential skin
breakdown.
2. Promote proper hygiene and skin care, ensuring
adequate hydration and moisturization.
3. Implement measures to prevent pressure ulcers,
such as repositioning, using specialized cushions or
mattresses, and providing skin protection.
3. Optimize Nutrition:
1. Collaborate with a nutritionist to develop a heart-
healthy diet plan tailored Educate the patient on the
importance of a balanced diet low in saturated fats,
cholesterol, and sodium.
2. Educate the patient on the importance of a balanced
diet low in saturated fats, cholesterol, and sodium.
3. Provide support and resources for the patient and
family to make dietary changes, such as meal
planning and healthy cooking techniques.
4. Monitor and assess the patient’s nutritional status
regularly and make appropriate referrals if needed.
4. Promote Self-Health Management:
1. Provide education on modifiable risk factors, such
as smoking cessation, regular exercise, and stress
management techniques.
2. Collaborate with the patient to set achievable goals
and develop a personalized plan for risk factor
modification.
3. Teach the patient how to monitor blood pressure
and cholesterol levels at home, and provide
guidance on medication adherence.
4. Offer resources and referrals to support smoking
cessation programs, exercise programs, and stress
reduction strategies.
5. Enhance Activity Tolerance:
1. Collaborate with physical therapists to develop an
individualized exercise program that is safe and
appropriate for the patient’s condition.
2. Encourage gradual increase in physical activity,
focusing on aerobic exercises and strength training
within the patient’s capabilities.
3. Monitor vital signs and symptoms during exercise
to ensure safety and make adjustments as necessary.
 4. Educate the patient on energy conservation
techniques to optimize activity tolerance and
prevent fatigue.
LIFESTYLE CHANGES Poster
To discuss life
Helpful lifestyle changes to slow down atherosclerosis may Explanation Active listening
style changes include:
2 min  eating a heart-healthy diet that’s low in saturated Which life style
for
fats and cholesterol modification
Atherosclerosis
 avoiding fatty foods reduce the risk

 adding fish to your diet twice per week instead of of

red meat Atherosclerosis?

 getting at least 75 minutes of vigorous exercise or

150 minutes of moderate exercise each week
 doing strength training for at least 2 hours every
week
 quitting smoking if you use tobacco
\  managing your weight
 managing stress
 treating conditions associated with atherosclerosis,
such as hypertension, high cholesterol, sleep apnea,
obesity, and diabetes
 Chart

PREVENTION Discussion Active listening

The same healthy lifestyle changes recommended to treat
To discuss
atherosclerosis also help prevent it. These lifestyle changes
How to prevent
3 prevention of can help keep the arteries healthy:
Atherosclerosis?
min  Eat foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol,
Atherosclerosis
sodium (salt) and sugar.
 Get regular physical activity. Start with short walks
and build up to 30 minutes a day most days of the
week.
 Keep a weight that’s healthy for you. Ask your
provider what that should be.
 Manage any health conditions, especially diabetes,
high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
 Don’t use tobacco products..
 Quitting smoking
 Eating healthy foods
 Exercising regularly
 Maintaining a healthy weight
 Checking and maintaining a healthy blood pressure
 Checking and maintaining healthy cholesterol and
 blood sugar levels

SUMMARY:

Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of your arteries by the accumulation of plaque. This plaque buildup is the result of chronic high cholesterol
levels.Once you develop atherosclerosis, the condition isn’t reversible. However, lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes surgery may
slow down its progression and prevent complications.Common complications associated with atherosclerosis include strokes and heart attacks.

CONCLUSION :-

At the end of the class teaching students get knowledge about Atherosclerosis.

RECAPTUALIZATION:-

1) Define Atherosclerosis? (2)

2) What are the Causes of Atherosclerosis? (5)
3) How many stages of Atherosclerosis? (4)
4) What are Management of Atherosclerosis? (6)
BIBLIOGRAPHY:-

1. Ross & Wilson, Text Book of Anatomy & Physiology, 9th Edition, Pg. 237
2. Dr. Swaminathan, Text Book of Food & Nutrition, Volume-2, Pg.232-242
3. Nicholle Brok, Text Book of Principles ALS Care, Pg. 10-15
4. Stephen J. Mcphee, Maxine A. Papadakis, Text Book of 20011 Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment, 50 th Edition
5. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,Text Book of Lippincott Medical Surgical Nursing, 8 th Edition, Pg. 1011-1021.
6. Fauci, Braunwald, Kasper, Text Book of HARRISON’S Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th Edition, Pg570-577