Pyroptosis is a novel lytic, pro-inflammatory form of death triggered by some inflammasomes, which induce the activation of Caspases, leading to the cleavage and polymerization of Gasdermin D (GSDMD), the release of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β and IL-18 and cell lysis. Pyroptosis has been reported to be closely associated to some diseases like viral disease, metabolic disease and neurogenic disease. Recent reports showed that pyroptosis participates in the occurrence and development of atherosclerotic plaque, regulated by some non-coding RNAs and other molecules. This paper provided an overview of morphological and molecular characteristics of pyroptosis. It also focused on roles of NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)-mediated pyroptosis in atherosclerosis as well as the underlying mechanism to explore potential diagnostic markers in atherosclerosis contributing to the prevention and treatment in atherosclerosis.