The main risk of myocardial infarction and stroke is atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is an important type of atherosclerosis, and its occurrence and development is a slow and gradual process. The word "porridge" is used because in the process of atherosclerosis, the yellow lipid dots and stripes accumulated in the intima of the artery are like millet porridge scattered on the wall of the artery, which also vividly summarizes its characteristics of easy rupture, bleeding and thrombosis. Atherosclerosis is the result of multiple factors. When the level of cholesterol in the blood is high, and there are adverse factors such as hypertension, smoking, diabetes, and heredity, the probability of atherosclerosis is high. Generally speaking, the older you are, the more likely you are to have atherosclerosis. However, this does not mean that plaque is only the "patent" of the elderly. Now the prevalence rate of young adults is also increasing, so you need to be vigilant. The circulatory system of the human body is very complex. There are various blood vessels. Which positions are easier to form atherosclerosis and blockage? 1. Carotid artery. The carotid artery directly connects to the brain, located in the anterior part of the neck and on both sides of the trachea, and its importance is self-evident. Carotid artery presents a unique "Y" shape structure, so it is easy to block at the bifurcation. Atherosclerotic plaque often accumulates in the carotid artery clinically. Generally speaking, around the age of 40, plaques of varying sizes begin to appear on the carotid artery. By around the age of 60, carotid artery plaques have become the norm, although the severity varies and needs to be analyzed on a case by case basis. 2. Coronary arteries. When plaques accumulate in the coronary arteries, it can lead to coronary heart disease and other serious conditions. The cause of most acute myocardial infarction is the rupture of coronary atherosclerotic plaque, which leads to acute occlusion of the lumen after thrombosis, followed by myocardial necrosis, and sudden death in severe cases, which is very dangerous. 3. Peripheral arteries. The arterial blood flowing out of the heart passes through the aorta, iliac artery, femoral artery, popliteal artery, and arteries of the lower leg, providing nutrition for the lower limbs. If there is stenosis or plaque blockage in the peripheral arteries, the blood flow to the lower limbs will decrease or even be interrupted. Poor blood circulation can lead to symptoms such as pain, numbness, swelling, and chills in the lower limbs. Some people may experience particularly obvious symptoms during activities, such as intermittent claudication. 4. Aorta. Aortic atherosclerosis is mainly manifested by lipid deposition in the intima of the large and middle arteries. Men over 40 years old have a relatively high risk of disease. The typical manifestation is decreased aortic elasticity, widened pulse pressure, and in severe cases, aortic aneurysm may form. In clinical practice, the most common occurrence is in the abdominal aorta below the opening of the renal artery, followed by the aortic arch and descending aorta. 5. Renal artery. Some elderly people were admitted to hospital for diagnosis and treatment due to blood pressure fluctuation. B-ultrasound examination showed that both kidneys were shrunk and renal function was abnormal. Further exploration found that renal atherosclerosis was caused by insufficient renal perfusion due to stenosis and occlusion of the lumen. In the early stages, there are generally no obvious abnormalities, but as the condition progresses, symptoms such as fatigue, lower back pain, and increased nocturia may occur. The most commonly examined area for ordinary people may be carotid artery plaques, mainly because the carotid artery is very superficial and ultrasound examination is easier to detect and evaluate, mostly for convenience considerations. In fact, the appearance of plaques in any location is unfavorable. In addition, many people consider the size of the patches as the most dangerous factor, but in fact, the most frightening thing is not the size of the patches, but the instability of the patches, that is, the "soft" and vulnerable patches. For example, dumplings with large filling and thin skin are easy to cook and once damaged, it is very troublesome, so it needs to be taken seriously. (The author is Wang Fang, Chief Physician of the Department of Cardiology at Beijing Hospital) (News Agency)