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Coronary atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries in the heart.
Atherosclerosis, also called coronary artery disease, occurs when the normal lining of the arteries deteriorates, the walls of the arteries thicken and deposits of fat and plaque block the flow of blood through the arteries. Atherosclerosis can be treated with changes in diet and lifestyle, as well as with medications. In the past, the most common treatment was coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Today's less invasive treatment for atherosclerosis is coronary angioplasty. Atherosclerosis is the build-up of cholesterol and inflammatory cells in the walls of arteries.