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Epidemiology
'''Atherosclerosis''' is a disease process in which cholesterol accumulates in the walls of an artery. It is a chronic process, that gradually leads to stenosis, or narrowing, of the artery. The rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque can lead to the formation of a thrombus, which can occlude an artery, preventing the flow of blood. Depending on the location of the artery, this can lead to a variety of medical presentations.
'''Atherosclerosis''' is a disease process in which cholesterol accumulates in the walls of an artery. It is a chronic process, that gradually leads to stenosis, or narrowing, of the artery. The rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque can lead to the formation of a thrombus, which can occlude an artery, preventing the flow of blood. Depending on the location of the artery, this can lead to a variety of medical presentations.
==Epidemiology==
Atherosclerosis generally does not affect individuals below the age of 35. While cholesterol may be transiently deposited, it is quickly removed. Above the age of 35, reports of prevalence are highly variable. Some studies report ranges of between 2.5% and 31.7% in asymptomatic individuals<ref>[http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/21/1/13.full.pdf Prevalence of coronary atherosclerosis in asymptomatic population. ''European Heart Journal, 21, 13-14''</ref>.