MTOR and atherosclerosis: Proliferation and hypertrophy of arterial smooth muscle cells (SMC) and lipid accumulation contributes to atherosclerosis; proliferation, hypertrophy, elevated contractile function and hyper-stimulation of arterial SMC all contribute to hypertension; mTOR hyperfunction contributes to cardiac hypertrophy; and increased aggregation and adhesion of platelets contributes to increased thrombosis.