When a patient asks the nurse what is the most common cause of myocardial ischemia, which statement is the correct response?

Choice A reason:
An embolus is the term used to describe a detached blood clot or other material that travels through the bloodstream and can cause a blockage in a blood vessel. Emboli can be composed of blood clots, fat, air, or other substances, and they can lead to serious conditions like strokes or pulmonary embolisms when they obstruct blood flow.

Choice B reason:
A thrombus is a blood clot that forms in a blood vessel and remains at its site of origin. It does not refer to a clot that has detached and is traveling through the bloodstream. The distinction between thrombus and embolus is crucial in understanding and describing vascular conditions.

Choice C reason:
Thromboembolus is a term that combines thrombus and embolus, indicating that a thrombus has become an embolus. While accurate, the more precise and commonly used term for a detached blood clot is simply "embolus."

Choice D reason:
Infarction refers to tissue death due to a lack of blood supply, often caused by an embolus or thrombus blocking a blood vessel. It does not describe the detached blood clot itself but rather the result of its action.

Choice A reason:
Elevated triglycerides are a concern and are associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease, but they are not as strong a predictor of coronary atherosclerosis as elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels. Triglycerides contribute to the overall lipid profile and can indicate metabolic issues, but LDL is more directly linked to plaque formation in arteries.

Choice B reason:
Elevated high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is generally considered beneficial and protective against coronary artery disease. HDL helps remove cholesterol from the bloodstream and arterial walls, transporting it to the liver for excretion. Therefore, elevated HDL is not concerning and is actually desirable.

Choice C reason:
Elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the most concerning when considering the risk of coronary atherosclerosis. LDL is known as "bad cholesterol" because high levels can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Managing and reducing LDL levels is a primary goal in preventing and treating coronary artery disease.

Choice D reason:
Elevated cholesterol is a general term that can refer to increased levels of any lipoprotein in the blood. While concerning, it is more important to identify which specific lipoproteins are elevated. Elevated LDL levels, in particular, are more directly related to the risk of coronary atherosclerosis compared to total cholesterol.