Atherosclerosis （As） is a pathological and physiological process triggered by lipid deposition in arterial wall, and is highly correlated with chronic inflammatory reaction mediated by macrophages. In early stage of atherosclerosis, macrophage limits disease progression by phagocytizing modified lipoproteins, cellular debris and dead cells. As the disease progresses, macrophages apoptosis increases and efferocytosis defective causes the secondary necrosis and inflammatory reaction, thus promotes the formation of unstable plaques. Macrophage proliferation and apoptosis are closely related to atherosclerosis. Therefore, this article focuses on macrophage proliferation and apoptosis on atherosclerosis, providing the theoretical basis for atherosclerosis prevention and control.