[Arteriosclerosis as the reflected image of current problems of medical science]

Predominance of analysis over synthesis, lack of integrative perception and inadequate consideration of regulatory mechanisms, insufficient understanding of the dialectical relationship between animal and man as well as of human individuality, these are considered to be the most severe limitations on scientific cognition today. This appraisal fully applies to arteriosclerosis, as well. More attention ought to be given to its peculiarities as a chronic disease, to the role played by so-called risk factors and their causative implications as well as to the impact of senescence on chronic pathological alterations. Our present knowledge on the causative correlations implied is not sufficient for adequate prevention of the arteriosclerotic vascular disease. Nevertheless, it would make sense to reduce those factors which have been identified as risk-boosting, although only limited consequences can be expected from such an approach.