The cholesterol conundrum pg. 4
Interactions between foam cells and white blood cells trigger a chronic inflammatory process. Smooth muscle cells migrate to the arterial wall, proliferate and secrete proteins that form a fibrous plaque. As the foam cells die, the plaque weakens and can rupture. Platelets are attracted to the site of the rupture, and can quickly form a clot that blocks the vessel completely.
Illustrations by Dominic Doyle.