How atherosclerosis develops

Developmental process of atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis may develop when deposits of cholesterol accumulate at an injured area in the inner lining of an artery. As the deposits harden and narrow the arteries, blood flow to the tissues decreases, and a clot may form, completely blocking the artery.




Review Date: 7/4/2011
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
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