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How does a fibrous cap affect the elasticity of an artery?
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cardiovascular disease
This micrograph shows a cross section of a coronary artery narrowed by an atherosclerotic plaque (purplish matter inside the artery). Most heart attacks are caused by the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque, which triggers the formation of a clot that abruptly blocks blood flow to part of the heart muscle.
In the context of atherosclerosis, the formation of a fibrous cap—which consists of scar tissue—directly impacts the structural integrity of the artery wall.
These areas of scar tissue cause the vessel walls to become less elastic, contributing to the overall stiffening and thickening characteristic of arteriosclerosis. As the arterial wall loses its natural elasticity, one significant physiological consequence is an increase in blood pressure.2