What causes occlusive arterial disease?
The arteries are not simply rubbery tubes that carry blood from the heart; they are complex, living structures. The most delicate part of an artery is the lining which is called the endothelium. The endothelium is only one cell thick and is like a very thin and delicate skin on the inside of the arteries. The endothelium is so thin that it can only just be seen even with a microscope. The endothelium is very important because it seals the inside of the artery and also prevents the blood from sticking to the inside of the artery and forming blood clots. If the endothelium is damaged it becomes leaky and if the endothelium is lost completely the wall of the artery is exposed to the blood and a blood clot will develop inside the artery. Rather like the skin on the surface of the body, the endothelium can heal if it is damaged. However. if the endothelium is damaged over and over again a type of scar develops which forms a bump on the inside of the artery. There are many things that can da
