Atherosclerosis[a] is a pattern of the disease arteriosclerosis,[8] characterized by development of abnormalities called lesions in walls of arteries. This is a chronic inflammatory disease involving many different cell types, and driven by elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood.[9] These lesions may lead to narrowing of the arterial walls due to buildup of atheromatous plaques.[10][11] At onset there are usually no symptoms, but if they develop, symptoms generally begin around middle age.[1] In severe cases, it can result in coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, or kidney disorders, depending on which body part(s) the affected arteries are located in the body.[1]
Prevention guidelines include, eating a healthy diet, exercising, not smoking, and maintaining normal body weight.[5] Treatment of established disease may include medications to lower cholesterol such as statins, blood pressure medication, and anticoagulant therapies to reduce the risk of blood clot formation.[6] As the disease state progresses more invasive strategies are applied such as percutaneous coronary intervention, coronary artery bypass graft, or carotid endarterectomy.[6] Genetic factors are also strongly implicated in the disease process; it is unlikely to be entirely based on lifestyle choices.[15]
Atherosclerosis generally starts when a person is young and worsens with age.[2] Almost all people are affected to some degree by the age of 65.[7] It is the number one cause of death and disability in developed countries.[16][17][18] Though it was first described in 1575,[19] there is evidence suggesting that this disease state is genetically inherent in the broader human population, with its origins tracing back to genetic mutations that may have occurred more than two million years ago during the evolution of hominin ancestors of modern human beings.[20]
^Information (US), National Center for Biotechnology (1998), "Atherosclerosis", Genes and Disease [Internet], National Center for Biotechnology Information (US), retrieved 2023-11-21
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