The aim of the article is the presentation of an overview of recent findings on etiology, pathogenesis and methods of diagnosis and treatment of the atherosclerosis and of chosen specific syndrome caused by this polyvascular disease. The author apart of considerations of pathogenic mechanisms like cellular dysfunction, inflammation and coagulation disorders deliberates the primary causes of the damage of the endothelium. He emphasizes the links between the state of the vascular endothelium and lifestyle. He notes that the primary causes of the endothelial damage should be traced, as originally suggested many years ago in such factors as heightened anger, hostility, aggression, impulsiveness and depression. The highlights that even though the family predisposition to the disease has long been known - the genetic studies failed to identify the critical gene variants and that the notion of “so called” "missing heredity" should be noted. The article presents also the review of so called novel biomarkers of atherosclerosis. The discussion on specific features of the peripheral arterial disease makes aware how to combine treatment of the generalized disease with proceedings indicated for a particular local lesions. Apart of pharmacological and surgical procedures interesting are the recent attempts to stimulate the development of collateral vessels.