Describe how an atheroma may lead to a myocardial infarction.

An atheroma is the deposition of fatty material in the innermost lining of an artery (caused by the process of 'atherosclerosis').
Atheromas have a tendency to rupture and this increases the likelihood of thrombosis occurring within the lumen of the artery.
If the blood clot forms within a coronary artery (an artery supplying heart muscle), this will reduce the blood supply to the heart muscle. Blood supply to the heart muscle contains oxygen and if this supply is restricted, this will eventually lead to a myocardial infarction (death of the heart muscle) when the demand of oxygen from the muscle exceeds the supply.

JW
Answered by Jovian W. Biology tutor

8824 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

State the differences between introns and exons.


Explain how the chromosome number is halved during meiosis.


Describe how oxygen in the air reaches capillaries surrounding alveoli in the lungs. Details of breathing are not required. (AQA Biol. 2016)


How does adrenaline, using the second messenger model, cause glycogenolysis?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning