Atherosclerosis: A Chronic Inflammatory Disease With an Autoimmune Component

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of large and medium-sized arteries that causes ischemic heart disease, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease collectively called cardiovascular disease (CVD). Atherosclerosis requires elevated LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, which can be controlled by statins and PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) inhibitors. Both effectively control LDL cholesterol and reduce major adverse cardiovascular events by approximate to 50%.(1)