Atherosclerosis is the build-up of plaque in the arteries which causes their narrowing. It is a primary cause of ischemic heart disease (IHD) and ischemic stroke (IS), both of which are major contributors to the 17.9 million deaths caused by cardiovascular diseases each year globally. The incidence of atherosclerosis-related conditions has been rising steadily over the past three decades, and particularly in younger populations. The increase is driven by lifestyle factors such as unhealthy diets, lack of exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
