Abstract
Aim. The present article aimed at reviewing the literature regarding factors causing arteriosclerosis.
Background. The origin of arteriosclerosis, which leads to the development of cardiovascular diseases, is quite complicated. The pathogens involved in arteriosclerosis include hemodynamic, thrombotic, carbohydrates, lipid, metabolic changes, and the inherent properties of the arterial wall. These physiological and biochemical properties finally give rise to the clinical symptoms in patients. Furthermore, environmental factors such as smoking, and changing lifestyle can aggravate these symptoms. The progression of arteriosclerosis and the increase in its severity depends on these risk factors as well as their continuation over time.
Method. The present research reviewed the literature published within the last 20 years concerning the factors causing arteriosclerosis. The articles were searched out using databases Science Direct, PubMed, Cochrane, Medline, SID, Scopus, Iran Doc, OVID, CINAHL, and Magiran and the keywords were Atherosclerosis, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and their Persian equivalents.
Findings. The findings indicated that there have been considerable developments in identifying the factors causing Atherosclerosis, factors such as age, sex, hypertension, smoking, increase in the LDL level, decrease in the HDL and cholesterol level, which are effective in the development of atherosclerosis, and the metabolic factors (disorder of glucose metabolism), thrombogenic and homeostatic factors such as fibrinogen and inflammatory factors that can lead to cardiovascular diseases. Despite the various studies carried out in this regard, cardiovascular diseases are still the leading cause of death as reported by the World Health Organization and the methods for controlling and preventing these diseases have not yet been completely developed.
Conclusion. Taking into account the high mortality rate of cardiovascular diseases, besides identifying the risk factors leading to arteriosclerosis, there must be public education at every level in order to increase awareness, cause fundamental changes in people’s lifestyles, and increase patient self-care education.

Abstract
Aim. This study aimed to examine the effect of education about anti-platelet drugs consumption through telephone follow-up on medication adherence in patients with coronary angioplasty.
Background. Regarding the necessity of proper use of antiplatelet drugs after coronary angioplasty, adherence to treatment is of great importance, and it is considered as one of the major concerns.
Method. This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 392 patients with percutaneous coronary intervention. The patients were divided into two experimental (telephone fallow-up) and control (without telephone fallow-up) group for one year. Adherence to treatment was assessed using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale before and after percutaneous coronary intervention. Data were analyzed using t-test, chi-square and linear regression model in SPSS software.
Findings. The mean age of patients was 61.71±10.28 years in the experimental group and 60.72±11.14 years in the control group. Changes in the mean score of medication adherence was 53.09±1.37 in the experimental group and 18.09±1.30 in the control group, indicating a statistically significant increase in medication adherence in the experimental group compared with the control group (P=0.001). Non-use of anticoagulants in the experimental group increased until the end of the sixth month of telephone follow-up and then, decreased until the end of the twelfth month of follow-up.
Conclusion. Since changes in the mean score of adherence to medication in the experimental and control groups was significant, it is recommended that follow-up interventions in patients be continued continuously for at least one year.