Atherosclerosis and Its Sequelae 2026

Plaque Attack Atherosclerosis: The Villain of the Vessels - Team 19

Media Type: Infographic

Summary

team_19_image.JPGAtherosclerosis is a chronic cardiovascular condition characterized by the gradual buildup of fatty plaques within the walls of arteries. It develops when lipids such as cholesterol, along with inflammatory cells and cellular debris, accumulate beneath the inner lining of blood vessels. Over time, this process leads to thickening and hardening of the arteries, reducing blood flow and increasing the risk of serious complications such as heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.

Atherosclerosis is one of the leading causes of cardiovascular disease worldwide and often progresses silently for years without noticeable symptoms. While it is strongly influenced by modifiable factors like diet, physical activity, smoking, and blood pressure, non-modifiable factors such as age and genetics also play a significant role. Despite its prevalence, it is often misunderstood as simply a “cholesterol problem,” when in reality it is a complex inflammatory disease that involves multiple biological processes.

Designed with public education in mind, our infographic uses a comic book–inspired approach to make the science of atherosclerosis accessible to everyday audiences. By following characters like King Cholesterol, Super Statin, and Mr. Macrophage, readers without a medical background can follow along and learn how the disease develops. Rather than passively presenting information, the design actively engages readers and empowers them to understand their own cardiovascular health, recognize risk factors, and appreciate the value of early prevention and treatment. In a landscape where health literacy remains a significant barrier to disease prevention, tools like this can play a meaningful role in bridging the gap between medical knowledge and public understanding.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Inflammation, Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), Cholesterol, Plaque, Arteries

A Heart’s Journey: An interactive exploration of Myocardial Infarction - Team 21

Media Type: Learning Module

Summary

team_21_image.jpgOur project focuses on myocardial infarction (MI), commonly known as a heart attack. It explains the underlying processes that lead to it, along with modifiable factors and preventive tactics. We chose this topic because heart disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, making it important for people to understand how it develops and how it can be prevented.

We created an interactive website where users follow the life of a Matt, somebody who was recently diagnosed with MI, the way, users learn how genetic factors and lifestyle choices like diet, exercise, and smoking, affect the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The website visually demonstrates how this risk factors contribute to plaque buildup in arteries, leading to blood clots, reduced blood flow, and eventually heart muscle damage.

Users can also explore different treatment and prevention strategies, including medications and lifestyle changes, and see how these decisions impact outcomes. Our goal of the interactive website is to help simplify complex medical concepts and makes learning engaging and accessible for individuals without a science background.
Overall, this project highlights the importance of prevention, early intervention, and informed decision-making in reducing the risk of heart attacks.

Keywords: Myocardial infarction (MI), Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis, Hypercholesterolemia, Ischemia, Preventiony