Atherosclerosis is the gradual buildup of plaques in the coronary arteries causing partial or complete blockage of an artery.

These plaques can burst causing a blood clot leading to heart attack or stroke.

This disease develops slowly and silently, over decades.

It is often not diagnosed until it causes a heart attack because there are usually no symptoms until an artery is so clogged that the blood supply to the organs and tissues is affected.