Introduction Introduction Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis. Atherosclerosis can affect the arteries of the brain, heart, kidneys, other vital organs, and the arms and legs. In the United States and most other Western countries, atherosclerosis is the leading cause of illness and death. It involves the proliferation of smooth muscle cells and the accumulation of lipids.
Atherosclerosis affects large and medium-sized arteries.
The type of artery and where the plaque develops varies with each person. Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease that may start in childhood. In some people this disease progresses rapidly in their third decade. In others it doesn't become threatening until they're in their fifties or sixties. This is a normal coronary artery with no atherosclerosis and a widely patent lumen that can carry as much blood as the myocardium requires.