Abstract: Atherosclerosis is a multifaceted chronic inflammatory disorder intricately linked to various cardiovascular diseases, and its pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Recent studies have highlighted the pivotal role of autophagy, an essential intracellular degradation and regeneration mechanism, in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. Autophagy modulates the development of atherosclerosis by influencing the functionality of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and macrophages. Current research indicates that autophagy not only contributes to the initiation and advancement of atherosclerosis, but may also unveil potential therapeutic targets through its impact on associated signaling pathways such as mTOR, AMPK, and NF-κB. This paper aims to review the mechanisms underlying autophagy in atherosclerosis, assess its effects on atherosis-related cell types, and explore future research directions to provide novel insights and strategies for preventing and treating atherosclerosis.