THESE ATHEROMA PLAQUES PROVIDE A BARRIER TO ARTERIAL BLOOD FLOW AND MAY PRECIPITATE CLINICAL EVENTS, SPECIALLY UNDER CONDITIONS THAT FAVOR PLAQUE RUPTURE AND THROMBUS FORMATION. OVER THE PAST DECADE THERE IS INCREASING EVIDENCE LINKING OXIDATIVE STRESS WITH AVD. AS A COROLLARY, ANTIOXIDANTS, BY PREVENTING THIS DAMAGE, ARE HYPOTHESISED TO MINIMISE ENDOTHELIAL INJURY AND THEREBY REDUCE AVD RISK.