动脉粥样硬化是心脑血管疾病的主要危险因素。现代医学对于动脉粥样硬化的发生机制尚不清楚。中医学认为，动脉粥样硬化的形成与痰浊和瘀血等病理产物密切相关。痰浊和瘀血是由机体脏腑功能失调、体内气血津液输布障碍而产生，2 者之间有其相关性和独立性。气能行血，气行则血长、气滞则血结、气畅则痰消、气郁则痰生，故言2者常相互胶着为病。现代医学在防治动脉粥样硬化的手段上存在不同程度的局限，而中药具有全方位和多靶点的作用特点，可以影响动脉粥样硬化发生和发展的各个环节，从而为防治动脉粥样硬化提供更加全面的对应之策。

Atherosclerosis is a major risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The mechanism of atherosclerosis is not clear in modern medicine. According to traditional Chinese medicine, atherosclerosis is closely related to pathological products such as turbid phlegm and static blood. Turbid phlegm and static blood are caused by dysfunction of viscera and organs and obstruction of transfusion of Qi, blood and body fluid. There is correlation and independence between turbid phlegm and static blood. Qi can move blood, and circulation of blood depends on Qi flow; the stagnation of Qi leads to blood stasis, while the smoothness of Qi causes the turbid phlegm to disappear; the insufficient Qi reasults in the formation of turbid phlegm. Therefore, turbid phlegm and static blood often stick to each other for disease. Modern medicine has different limitations in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis. Traditional Chinese medicine has the characteristics of omni-directional and multi-target action, which can affect the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis in all aspects, thus providing a more comprehensive way for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.