Causes of Atherosclerosis Based on TCM:
An early description of the clinical manifestations and treatment of atherosclerosis can be found in the classic traditional Chinese medicine book Inner Canon of Yellow Emperor, which was completed around 500 BC. In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, atherosclerosis is usually referred to as "MaiBi," a vascular problem that is caused by Qi stagnation, Blood stasis, and/or coagulated Phlegm, in which Qi stands for the energy, Blood stands for the material, and Phlegm stands for a kind of pathological product.

For over two thousand years, atherosclerosis and its resulting heart disease have been treated with numerous herbal remedies. While somewhat effective, these herbal remedies have not been well studied using evidence-based approaches or using modern cellular and molecular techniques. Recently, however, investigations to examine the effects and mechanisms of single herbal compounds in the modulation of atherogenesis have occurred. A summary of these studies is presented in the following section wherein the compounds are discussed according to their site of activity.


Causes of Atherosclerosis in Western Medicine:
The arteries provide oxygen-rich blood to the heart, brain, and other parts of the body. The inner lining of the arteries is called the endothelium. This inner lining can be injured due to high cholesterol levels, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, smoking and/or diabetes. When the endothelium is damaged, substances that flow through the arteries, such as fats, cholesterol, calcium, cellular waste products and other substances (collectively known as plaque), are deposited in the artery wall, and over time begin to build up. The build up of these substances causes the arteries to harden, narrow or become blocked. Depending on where the hardening or blockage occurs, other complications then follow.

It is thought that atherosclerosis is caused by a response to damage to the endothelium from high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and cigarette smoking. A person who has all three of these risk factors is eight times more likely to develop atherosclerosis than is a person who has none. Physical inactivity, diabetes, and obesity are also risk factors for atherosclerosis. High levels of the amino acid homocysteine and abnormal levels of protein-coated fats called lipoproteins also raise the risk of coronary artery disease.

These substances are the targets of much current research. The role of triglycerides, another fat that circulates in the blood, in forming atherosclerotic plaques is unclear. High levels of triglycerides are often associated with diabetes, obesity, and low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL cholesterol). The more HDL ("good") cholesterol, in the blood, the less likely is coronary artery disease. These risk factors are all modifiable. Non-modifiable risk factors are heredity, sex, and age.