Vascular Pathology and Myocardial Infarction

Vascular pathology is a leading cause of disease in developed countries, largely due to a preponderance of fatty and processed foods. Atherosclerosis, or “hardening of the arteries” is often due to deposition of excess lipids and cholesterol with plaque development and subsequent changes to the vessel wall. Atherosclerosis can occur in any size vessel; here we will review this process in a large vessel (aorta), as well as its role in the development of aortic aneurysms. We will also discuss atherosclerosis of a smaller vessel (coronary artery), and myocardial infarction, which most often directly results from coronary artery disease.