Atherosclerosis is a disease characterised by the build up of scleroid lesions, termed atheroma. These atheroma take the form of porridgelike blockages within the human circulatory system.

These blockages act to distrupt the normal course of circulation, leading to infarction, whereby blood is unable to reach a certain area, or the formation of thrombosis, where the blood effectively clots within arteries or veins. These can lead to heart attacks, or strokes.

Assessment of the Arm Brachial Index, whereby the blood pressure ratios within the body are measured can point towards some form of circulatory obstruction, typically atherosclerosis. This test may be performed easily within a primary health clinic as a screening factor for such heart disease



If obstruction is suspected in a given area, it is possible to implement a doppler technique, which, through reflecting soundwaves from the region, is able to determine whether the flow is turbulent (mucky sound), or laminar (smooth sounding).

A more specialised technique is that of Ultrasonic Scanning, in which a high resolution ultrasound scanner is able to visualise obstructions, and possibly flow patterns surrounding the obstruction.

CT and MRI (MRI arteriography, MRA) can both be used, however, this tends to be for presurgical inspection, rather than initial diagnosis.

The main point to take away from this review is that it is generally impossible to diagnose atherosclerosis until it is suspected, for example, following minor heart complaints, difficulty walking, or similar. Routine assessment for at risk groups has been implemented within some countries.