Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Heart disease, also called cardiovascular disease, can describe several conditions, including coronary artery disease and aortic athlerosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is the main underlying cause of most heart attacks. Patients with atherosclerosis have a build-up of deposits, or plaques, of cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in arteries. Over time, plaques limit blood flow, and, if they obstruct a vessel like the coronary artery, can trigger a heart attack. Artery blockage in other organs is also hazardous and can damage kidney, the extremities (in the case of peripheral artery disease), or the brain. Plaque rupture also increases the chance of stroke or blood clots in the brain.

Scientists have found that immune cells and signaling molecules play a role in the development of several types of cardiovascular diseases. Immune cells can drive inflammation in the arteries and contribute to the buildup of damaging plaques in atherosclerosis.