What is the most common cause of a heart attack and stroke?
Patchy deposits (called plaques) that form in the lining of the artery wall
Plaques growing into the opening (lumen) of the artery, gradually causing it to narrow
Plaques that split open (rupture) and expose the plaque material within to the bloodstream, causing blood clots to form
Thickening of arteriole walls, causing arteriosclerosis