RESUMO
The prevalence of any disease among individuals likely to cause tissue or organ injury is related to a number of factors. The risk factors that predispose to atherosclerosis have been identified by a number of studies. This study was undertaken to correlate risk factors with the occurrence & severity of coronary atherosclerosis. The study duration was of 2 years from October 2006 to October 2008 & it includes 120 medicolegal autopsies conducted at MGIMS, over a period of 2 years. Data (age, sex, occupation, education, alcoholism, smoking, dietary habits etc) was recorded from the short history. Major coronaries were sectioned transversely by sharp knife at intervals of 0.3 cm and also longitudinally. The morphological lesions were noted in proforma and then they were sent for histopathology. The data was evaluated statistically. The study shows definite correlation between the risk factors and atherosclerosis. Certain life style modifications can decrease the incidence of atherosclerosis in the population.