One theory implicates viruses, bacteria, and other microbes. This theory raises the frightening possibility that people might catch heart disease in the same way they are infected by viruses and bacteria that cause flu or tuberculosis. Microbes have been found in atherosclerotic plaque scraped from human blood vessels, but no one has proved that one caused the other. Those who don't dismiss the idea say it might account for only a small percentage of heart disease. Ridker calls it this an area that needs more research.
Scientists refer to the sticky molecules as CAMs, or cellular adhesion molecules.
They reside in the thin lining of blood vessels. Such linings were once thought of as mere biological Saran Wrap, existing for the sole purpose of preventing blood from leaking out of arteries and veins. They measured levels of this molecule in the blood of medical doctors whom they followed for nine years. All were healthy at the start of the experiment, but 474 of the physicians suffered a first heart attack during the followup. I want to emphasize that such men don't have a disease.