Abstract: With the change of the human disease spectrum, atherosclerosis shows a high incidence worldwide. Atherosclerosis diseases and other diseases caused by atherosclerosis, such as coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, heart attacks and stroke, have become the main cause of death in human beings. At present, numerous researchers have applied nanotechnology on the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerosis, to realize visualization of atherosclerotic lesions, and enhance target efficacy and circulation time. Among these nanotechnologies, polymeric micelles have been used widely because of their high encapsulation efficiency of drugs, convenient fabrication, prolonged retention time and good biocompatibility. Therefore, this review summarized the imaging technology of polymer micelles in atherosclerosis and the application of imaging techniques in the diagnosis of atherosclerosis, and summarized the strategies of micelles in targeting endothelial cells, macrophages, the fibrous cap of plaques and oxidative stress in the treatment of atherosclerosis, proposed suggestions and perspectives.