This article discusses the causes, effects, and treatment of atherosclerosis.
What Is the Main Cause of Atherosclerosis?
The fundamental underlying cause of atherosclerosis has not been fully established.

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Second, plaques can cause arterial thrombosis.
Arterial thrombosis takes place if a plaque suddenly ruptures, causing a thrombus (blood clot) to form.
A rupturedaortic aneurysmis an example of such an event.
Other common medical problems because of atherosclerosis includestroke,peripheral artery disease, andkidney disease.
For example, a heart attack takes away more than 16 years of life on average.
People with heart failure lose an average of nearly 10 years.
How Is Atherosclerosis Treated?
The cause is not entirely understood, but many factors are associated with plaque build-up.
There are many serious health effects when atherosclerosis progresses.
The best treatment is to prevent plaque buildup by making healthy lifestyle choices.
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