Atherosclerosis/Thrombosis
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the developed world and has been for decades. The American Heart Association reports that nearly 2,500 Americans die of cardiovascular disease each day, an average of one death every 35 seconds. Two major aspects of the disease are atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Atherosclerosis refers to the progressive thickening and hardening of the walls of medium-sized and large arteries caused by fat deposits on their inner lining. Thrombosis is the formation or presence of a blood clot in a blood vessel.
While exceptional research efforts have yielded important advances in the treatment of cardiovascular disease, much work remains to be done. Many current therapies have limitations, such as drug and dietary interactions. For years, Bristol-Myers Squibb has been both a leader and an innovator in the fight against cardiovascular disease. And through continued discovery and development, Bristol-Myers Squibb is continuing to make important advances.