Description
Discussion #1
Mr. K. is a 57-year-old man who consulted his physician after noticing marked leg pains while playing golf. He had previously noticed increasing fatigue and discomfort in his legs associated with moderate exercise. When sitting for extended periods with legs dangling, his legs became red, and sometimes his feet felt numb. His history indicates he smokes cigarettes and is chronically overweight. His blood cholesterol and other lipid levels are abnormal, and his physician suspects peripheral atherosclerosis as the cause of his discomfort.
Discussion Questions:
Discuss the development of atherosclerosis, including the predisposing factors in this case and the pathophysiological changes.
Discuss the complications that might develop in this patient. (Pathophysiology, Signs and Symptoms.)
Discuss the treatments for all aspects of the patient’s condition, including slowing the progress of the
atherosclerosis, maintaining circulation in the leg, and treating complications.

Explanation & Answer

View attached explanation and answer. Let me know if you have any questions.
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Atherosclerosis
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The Development of Atherosclerosis
The development of atherosclerosis may happen when plaque deposits and cholesterol
accumulate at a tear in the artery’s inner lining. As the deposits become firm and block the
arterial lumen, blood flow to far tissues reduces, and clots become lodged, fully blocking the
artery. Predisposing factors for peripheral atherosclerosis include smoking, old age and illnesses
like high blood pressure and high blood cholesterol.
Peripheral atherosclerosis starts with a change in endothelial adhesiveness and to
accumulates and penetrates in the subendothelial area. After getting to the subendothelial area,
the monocytes are changed into tissue macrophages. The macrophages combine and engulf
oxidized lipoprotein in an uncontroll...
