As well, plaques of atheroma collect and may ulcerate through the lining, leaving a raw surface. Platelets from the blood may be deposited on these raw surfaces to form a clot.
There are many factors which can lead to the formation of atheroma. These are:
Heredity — a history of heart attacks at an early age in parents or grandparents
High levels of blood fats (lipids) — cholesterol and triglycerides
High blood pressure
Cigarette smoking — this increases the risk four to six times
Nervous tension
Lack of physical exercise
Most of these factors are reversible and there is no doubt that high fat levels are a cause. What is debated is whether you can do anything about changing the level of fat in the blood.
A diet high in animal fat tends to increase the amount of cholesterol and a high intake of refined carbohydrate increases the level of triglyceride. Changing the diet may reduce this factor and so reduce the risk.
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