Complex sentence: The two leading causes of death in the developed world, myocardial infarction and stroke, are both a direct consequence of atherosclerosis and increased arterial stiffness is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
Split into simpler sentences: The two leading causes of death in the developed world, myocardial infarction and stroke, are both a direct consequence of atherosclerosis. Increased arterial stiffness is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events.