Atherosclerosis: a major cause of cardiovascular disease.

Arteroclerosis is a general term of the thickening and hardening of arteries. Some hardening of arteries normally occurs when people grow older. Atherosclerosis, a type of arteriosclerosis, is characterized by deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium, and fibrin (clotting material in the blood) in the inner lining of an artery. The resulting buildup is called plaque.

Plaque partially or totally may block the blood's flow through an artery. Two things that can happen where plaque occurs are bleeding (hermorrhage) into the plaque or formation of a blood clot (thrombus) on the plaque. If either of these occurs and blocks the entire artery, a heart attack or stroke may result..

Atherosclerosis affects large and medium-sized arteries. The type of artery and where the plaque develops vary with the individual. It is a slw, progressive disease that can start in childhood. In some people, this disease progresses rapidly in their third decade; in others, it doesn't become threatening until they are in their 50s or 60s

Many scientists believe atherosclerosis begins because the inner, protective lining of the artery (endothelium) becomes injured to the point that it can no longer do its job. When this happens, fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the blood may pass through the damaged lining and become deposited in the artery wall over time...