Question

Atherosclerosis is now regarded as a chronic inflammatory disorder as opposed to one of lipid storage. true/false

Short answer

Answer: True

Step-by-step solution

Understand Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque builds up inside the arteries, causing them to narrow and harden, consequently restricting blood flow. It is a significant contributor to cardiovascular diseases.

Inflammatory Disorder vs Lipid Storage

In the past, atherosclerosis was considered primarily a disease of lipid storage, which indicated that the accumulation of lipids (fats) within plaque was the main problem. However, more recent research has shown that inflammation also plays a crucial role in atherosclerosis development. The inflammatory response in the arterial wall, caused by factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, leads to the formation and progression of plaque. Therefore, atherosclerosis is now seen as a chronic inflammatory disorder rather than just a lipid storage issue.

Determine the Veracity of the Given Statement

Based on the information obtained from Steps 1 and 2, we can conclude that the statement "Atherosclerosis is now regarded as a chronic inflammatory disorder as opposed to one of lipid storage" is true. The understanding of atherosclerosis has shifted towards its inflammatory nature, rather than strictly as a lipid-storage problem, in light of recent research findings.