Atherosclerosis (As) is an important cause of high morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease. It has serious harm to people's health and safety of life. Recent studies show that hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) as a gaseous signal molecule has important physiological functions in As lesions, and its deficiency may lead to the early development of As lesions. This review describes the protective effects of H₂S in the development of As, from biological lipid metabolism disorders, relationship between H₂S and anti-coagulation, inhibition of endothelial cell proliferation or migration, and that H₂S can change the characteristics of As metabolism. This article also puts forward some ideas and prospects for the further works.