Abstract
Abstract: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the buildup of plaque within the arterial walls, contributes to acute coronary syndrome, angina, stroke, transient ischemic attack, and peripheral arterial disease. This second article in a series about the most commonly billed diagnoses in primary care describes the pathophysiologic processes of ASCVD as well as how the clinical manifestations and treatments are linked to the pathogenesis of the disease.