The cost of the disease is enormous but in most people it can be prevented. Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries. This accumulation takes place over years, even decades, developing slowly and insidiously. The damage from atherosclerosis occurs when the swelling, called a plaque, becomes large enough to reduce or completely block the flow of blood through arteries.
Any tissue supplied by the blocked artery is in danger.
Plaques can block arteries almost anywhere in the body but because it is so common and dangerous, blockage in the arteries that supply the heart is particularly important. This is known as coronary heart disease because the blood vessels that supply the heart itself are called coronary arteries . It is the blockage or reduction of the heart's blood supply that causes angina and heart attack . There are certain conditions and habits that can increase a person's susceptibility to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. These are referred to as risk factors .