The main causes of atherosclerosis include hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, smoking, old age, early onset of arteriosclerotic disease. The arterial wall consists of intima, media and adventitia.

Early atherosclerosis manifests by the thickening of intima which can be quantified by ultrasound technology. Carotid intima medial thickness is measured using ultrasound examination of neck arteries. Cocomitant use of dedicated computer algorithm can substantially reduce the artificial measurement error and increase the accuracy and reproducibility of the test. It is the main non-invasive method to evaluate the development of early atherosclerosis.