Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), especially ischemic heart disease and stroke, are the leading cause of global mortality and a major contributor to disability (Roth et al. 2020). Further increases in CVD prevalence are expected, with CVDs predicted to remain the leading cause of death by 2040 (Foreman et al. 2018). From a broad point of view, most CVDs arise clinically on the basis of atherosclerosis. Therefore, the death caused by diseases resulting from atherosclerosis (namely, atherosclerotic disease or atherosclerotic CVDs) results from the underlying pathology of atherosclerosis. In other words, atherosclerosis-related diseases are the most significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Moreover, many of these cases occur among those in their prime working years aged 50 and above, or those just about to enter their retirement years and trying to enjoy life. Even if they manage to survive, the subsequent impact caused by atherosclerosis on their healthy lifespan is substantial.