Nicotine

Smoking 17: Atherosclerosis – Capsule formation

The foam cells contribute to the formation of a sort of cap, consisting of platelets, muscle cells and blood vessel cells, to cover the fat accumulation. Fibres and calcium are deposited in the accumulation, causing it to harden.

This encapsulated deposit of fat, fibres and white blood cells is called an atherosclerotic plaque.

The consequence of this whole process is a narrowing, or stenosis, of the blood vessel. This is dangerous, because the blood vessel can become shut off altogether.

Another danger is that the plaque will become dislodged and will block a blood vessel elsewhere.