Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a disease in which fatty plaques, such as cholesterol, collect within the walls of arteries. Build up of these plaques can eventually occlude the vessel leading to a loss of blood flow; the location of this blockage will determine the severity of the disease. Though the end result of this disease is what is most commonly seen as the dangerous, the onset and progression can also lead to many complications as described by the various diabetes research articles. The progression of atherosclerosis, though gradual is thought to have a big effect on the secretion of C-reactive protein, a key inflammatory marker. Though these articles do not determine if the inflammation is causing the atherosclerosis, or if it is the other way around, they make clear the link between the two. There needs to be more research to determine if the treatment of inflammation can prevent diseases such as this. The effects of this information has the potential to be extremely profound.