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Heart Disease: Frequently Asked Questions about Heart Disease
1. What is atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis, often described as a hardening of the arteries, occurs when the normal lining of the arteries deteriorates, the walls of arteries thicken, and deposits of fat and plaque build up, causing narrowing (or even blockage) of the arteries.
WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with the Cleveland Clinic
Reviewed by
David W. Stein, MD on December 01, 2006
Edited by
Louise Chang, MD on April 01, 2006
'Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2005
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Doctors are studying a new way to do heart bypass surgery designed to make recovery time shorter, safer, and more comfortable.
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