Analytical review of atherosclerosis risk factors

In modern medicine, studying the mechanism of atherosclerotic plaque formation is one of the most important areas. As more knowledge about this process is accumulated, it becomes essential to analyze, reconsider and supplement existing theories about the pathogenesis of this condition. The analysis of literature sources has allowed us to identify 6 classical and 2 new theories that attempt to explain the possible origins of this disease, but these theories are not able to fully explain all aspects of the atherosclerosis process, as they focus on individual aspects according to their underlying assumptions. The aim of this review is not just to organize existing data but also to attempt to answer questions arising from studying specific aspects of atherosclerosis formation. As a consequence of the analysis it was found that systemic inflammation caused by factors such as bacteria and viruses, as well as active radicals of nitrogen oxide and oxygen can exacerbate this process, leading to accumulation and retention low-density lipoproteins in the inner lining of blood vessels. This inflammation leads to an increase in production of pro-inflammatory substances, which reduces the efficiency of transporting cholesterol from cells into the bloodstream and lymphatic systems. The organization of data obtained from this article can be used as a foundation for future experiments aimed at identifying so-called ‘control points’, developing new methods for monitoring and identifying biomarkers of atherosclerosis progression.