Q. Can High blood pressure cause coronary sclerosis?
High blood pressure causes coronary sclerosis (hardening in early stages, fatty lesions in the inner surface of [he artery occur and this damages the inner surface of the artery (intima). Once the damage occurs, the endothelial cells swell and the smooth muscle below gets affected causing atherosclerosis (deposits of cholesterol, calcium on fibrous matter) leading to hard arteries, which lose their distensibility and could rupture. The deposits (plaque) may protrude in the lumen causing problems with blood flow and roughness of the surface. This could cause clots (thrombus) and damage to the organs.