Risk Factors and Prevention in Light of Atherosclerosis Being a Microvascular Disease

Accumulating evidence demonstrates that dysfunctional microvasculature contributes to localized inflammation that precipitates site-specific plaque formation. Given the importance of the blood vessel wall microvasculature in atherosclerosis disease development, we examine how risk factors might contribute to both vasa vasorum and lymphatic dysfunction. In addition, we discuss how microcirculatory endothelium, even more than the parent vessel endothelium, is a likely beneficiary of current common preventative measures and therapies. Therefore, this chapter makes a strong case for impaired microcirculation being a unifying factor underlying many atherosclerosis risk factors.