Atherosclerosis is a very common form of arteriosclerosis in which deposits of fatty plaques (atheromas) are formed within the lining of the large and medium sized arteries. The great medical importance of atherosclerosis is due to its predilection for coronary, cerebral, and peripheral arteries. Its complications are the major cause of death in the united states; death classified as resulting from coronary artery disease represent 33 % of deaths from all causes, and cerebral vascular disease is the third most common cause of death in the United State after heart disease and cancer.
Specifically what sets off the formation of atheromas is not known. But it is known that the likelihood of atherosclerosis is increased in the presence of certain biochemical, physiologic, and environmental factors known as risk factors. The presence of one or more of these risk factors increases the possibility that a persom will suffer from atherosclerosis and its complications. It is also suggested that removal or modification of the risk factors in a populatiom will diminish the incidence of the complications of atherosclerosis, such as coronary artery disease. The major risk factors are hypertension, elevated blood lipids, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, and obesity.

The death rate from coronary artery disease for 60 year old white men is 10 times that for 30 year old white men. Furthermore, in the age bracket 35 to 44 the death rate from coronary heart disease among white men is six times that of white women.

In many societis the incidence of atherosclerosis is much lower than in ours, and attempts to prevent the disease by focusing on the risk factors makes common sense. For the most part, risk factors can either be eliminated or controlled. The treatment of atherosclerosis is directed at its complications, such as coronary artery disease and heart failure.