Final answer:
Atherosclerotic plaques with large lipid cores are prone to rupture. Rupture can lead to serious conditions like heart attacks or strokes due to clots forming and blocking arteries, or small pieces called emboli traveling to and obstructing other vessels. Option D is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Atherosclerotic plaques with large lipid cores are prone to rupture. When atherosclerosis occurs, it involves the build-up of plaques inside the arteries, which consist of cholesterol, fatty substances, and other materials. These plaques can harden and restrict blood flow, but a particularly serious complication arises when they rupture.
Rupture of these plaques can lead to microscopic tears in the artery wall, allowing blood to seep into the surrounding tissues. This event triggers a rapid response from platelets to form a blood clot at the site. If a clot forms in a crucial artery, like a coronary or cerebral artery, it can result in a heart attack or stroke. Furthermore, pieces of the plaque can also dislodge and move through the bloodstream as emboli, potentially blocking smaller, distant arteries.
The risk factors for the development of these plaques include high cholesterol, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, age, male sex, and a family history of cardiovascular disease. A high-fat diet can also contribute to the likelihood of plaque buildup. The condition reduces the elasticity of the arteries and can compromise blood flow, making the plaques especially dangerous when they contain a large lipid core, as they are more susceptible to rupture.