Atherosclerosis
![Atherosclerosis](../../graphics/images/en/18050.jpg)
Atherosclerosis is a disease of the arteries in which cholesterol is deposited in the vessel wall, resulting in narrowing and eventual impairment of blood flow. Severely restricted blood flow in the arteries to the heart muscle leads to symptoms such as chest pain. Atherosclerosis does not produce symptoms until blood flow is impaired.
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Review Date: 10/15/2018
Reviewed By: Michael A. Chen, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Harborview Medical Center, University of Washington Medical School, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.