As a disease atherosclerosis accounts for more death and serious morbidity than any other in the Western world. It may affect any artery however the aorta, cerebral and coronary arteries are prime targets, thus the major results of this disease are myocardial infarctions , cerebral infarction or aortic aneurysm .
Atherosclerosis can take a toll through other mechanisms as well however.
Such as acutely or chronically reduced perfusion of some areas of the body resulting in various conditions such as gangrene of the legs, mesenteric occlusion, sudden cardiac death, chronic ischemic heart disease and ischemic encephalopathy. To begin with atheromas are sparsely distributed but as the disease progresses they increase in frequency and size in affected arteries. When they increase in size they block more of the lumen of the vessel and in small arteries they are occlusive which compromises blood flow to distal organs and causes ischemic injury. In large arteries they are destructive, weakening the affected vessel wall causing aneurysms or rupture or favouring thrombosis. The atheromas are easily broken up so predispose to formation of atheroemboli which are commonly noted in the kidneys.