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Why does atherosclerosis not affect veins?

Why does atherosclerosis not occur in veins?
For atherosclerosis to occur there needs to be an original insult that initiates the cascade of changes that forms a plaque. Typically this is damage to the endothelium, often caused by high blood pressure. The pressure is much higher in arteries than veins and it's therefore very unlikely to occur in veins. Atherosclerosis also worsens over time as the plaque is repeatedly damaged by high blood pressure, resulting in growth of the plaque, whereas in veins a small atherosclerotic change is unlikely to be amplified in this way.
Stiffening of veins may be a geriatric factor that contributes to atherosclerosis so the aging of the venous vessels must be considered, especially as the valves also harden and make flow more difficult and turbulent. Pulmonary embolism may often be due to venous changes and aging, not just arterial factors. Do you not agree that we know so little about the rehologic and conduction triggers of veins that we may be missing and important factor in arterial disease?
(edited 6 years ago)

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