Which statement regarding atherosclerosis is NOT true?

Atherosclerosis is a complex condition primarily characterized by the buildup of plaques within the arterial walls, leading to narrowing and hardening of the arteries. The statement indicating that atherosclerosis is a red blood cell disease is not true because atherosclerosis primarily affects the arterial walls rather than directly impacting red blood cells.

The process begins with damage to the endothelial lining of the arteries, commonly referred to as the intima. From this point, inflammatory cells and lipids accumulate, eventually forming atherosclerotic plaques. It is also well-established that atherosclerosis tends to develop at specific locations within the vasculature, particularly at bifurcations, where blood flow dynamics favor the formation of these plaques.

Additionally, the notion that intimal damage and subsequent repair processes can initiate in adolescence is supported by research that highlights the early development of atherosclerotic changes. Therefore, the statement about atherosclerosis being a red blood cell disease is the one that does not accurately reflect the nature of this vascular condition.