ABSTRACT
Atherosclerotic heart disease (ASHD) is a multifactorial disease. Its manifestation is a composite of genetic factors; physiological factors, including metabolism of the arteries and coronary vessels; humoral factors, including the presence of lipids and clotting factors in the circulation; psychological factors, including the effects of stress; and ecological factors, including cigarette smoking and components of the diet. Davignon (1) has attempted a graphic integration of these factors and has succeeded in demonstrating the intricate interconnections among the many risk factors.
