Somatic mutations and environmental stimuli (such as vaccines, infections, hyperglycemia) lead to activation of immune cells via epigenetic mechanisms to drive inflammation in vascular disease. DNMT3a, DNA methyltransferases 3a; TET2, tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2; ASXL1, additional sex combs like 1, CHIP, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential.