Mr. T., a 45-year-old black male employed as a midlevel corporate manager was seeking a physical examination. He appeared somewhat overweight. He denied taking any medications or smoking, but admitted drinking alcohol. His father and older brother have hypertension, and his paternal grandfather experienced an MI and a CVA at a young age. Mr. T. stated, “A year ago at a health fair, my cholesterol was tested. I was told later by mail that my cholesterol was 250.” What lab tests are indicated? What other questions should be asked of this patient? What are Mr. T’s risk factors for hypertension and coronary artery disease? If Mr. T. showed a high level of intellectual curiosity, and kept asking questions, how would you explain the pathophysiology of hypertension and coronary artery disease to him? How does atherosclerosis develop?

Summarized question: What causes atherosclerosis?