Atherosclerosis
A chronic disease in which lipid-rich plaques accumulate within artery walls, narrowing and stiffening them and sometimes disrupting blood flow.
Endothelial dysfunction: Impaired function of the cell layer lining blood vessels, including reduced control of permeability, inflammation, and vessel tone. A dysfunctional arterial lining makes it easier for lipoproteins and inflammatory cells to enter the wall.
Coronary artery disease: A disease in which narrowed or obstructed coronary arteries limit blood supply to the heart muscle. Atherosclerosis in coronary arteries is the usual cause of coronary artery disease.
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A group of clinical conditions caused by atherosclerosis in coronary, cerebral, or peripheral arteries. This broader clinical category links arterial plaques to heart attack, stroke, and limb disease.
Lipoprotein: A particle made of lipids and proteins that transports water-insoluble fats through blood and other body fluids. Lipoproteins carry cholesterol and triglycerides through the circulation toward or away from artery walls.
Arteriosclerosis: A general term for thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity in arteries. Arteriosclerosis is broader than atherosclerosis, which specifically involves lipid-rich arterial plaques.
Low-density lipoprotein: A cholesterol-carrying particle that transports cholesterol through the bloodstream to tissues. LDL particles retained in artery walls can become modified and promote plaque formation.
Myocardial infarction: Death of heart muscle caused by prolonged interruption of its blood supply. A coronary plaque disruption and clot can abruptly stop blood flow and cause an infarction.
Cardiovascular risk assessment: Estimation of a person's likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease over a defined period. Risk estimates combine factors such as age, cholesterol, blood pressure, and smoking to guide prevention.
Macrophage: An immune cell that engulfs particles and microbes and coordinates inflammatory responses in tissues. Macrophages take up modified lipoproteins and can become lipid-laden foam cells.
Arteriolosclerosis: Thickening and hardening of small arteries and arterioles, often associated with hypertension or diabetes. It affects smaller vessels and has different patterns from plaque-forming atherosclerosis in larger arteries.