Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis is thickening, hardening, or loss of elasticity in the walls of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a common type of arteriosclerosis caused by plaque buildup inside the artery wall. Arteriosclerosis becomes more common with age and may affect blood flow to the heart, brain, legs, kidneys, and other organs. This arteriosclerosis disease can occur without noticeable symptoms for many years.

Early arteriosclerosis often causes no noticeable symptoms. Signs usually appear when narrowed or stiff arteries limit blood flow to a particular part of the body. The symptoms of arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis can therefore vary depending on which arteries are affected.

Aging and long-term injury to artery walls can reduce their elasticity and make them thicker or stiffer. In atherosclerosis, cholesterol, fat, inflammatory cells, and other material collect in the artery wall and form plaque. Over time, plaque can grow, harden, or rupture, narrowing the artery and reducing blood flow.

Arteriosclerosis vs. atherosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis is the broader description of hardened, thickened, or less flexible arteries. Atherosclerosis is one specific plaque-related form of arteriosclerosis that can narrow arteries and reduce blood flow. This distinction explains why arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are related but not interchangeable terms.

Nonmodifiable risk factors

Risk increases with age, a family history of artery disease, and certain inherited conditions. Sex-related and ethnic patterns may also influence cardiovascular risk in some populations. These factors affect a person’s baseline risk but do not make arteriosclerosis unavoidable.

Modifiable risk factors

Changeable risk factors include smoking or tobacco exposure, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, diabetes, physical inactivity, excess weight, and an eating pattern high in saturated or trans fats. Medical care and daily habits can improve many of these factors. Several risks together can compound one another and increase the likelihood of arteriosclerosis disease.

Complication risk depends on the location and extent of artery disease and on whether risk factors are controlled. Prompt evaluation and treatment can help reduce the effects of reduced blood flow.

Clinicians begin with a medical history and physical examination, including blood pressure measurement and an assessment of symptoms, family history, smoking, and other cardiovascular risks. Blood tests can check cholesterol, blood sugar, and related measures. The results help determine whether additional testing is appropriate.

Tests that assess arteries and blood flow

Depending on symptoms, risk, and the artery involved, clinicians may use an ankle-brachial index, ultrasound, CT or coronary calcium imaging, angiography, or another blood-flow test. These tests can help identify narrowed arteries, plaque, or changes in artery-wall structure. Not everyone needs every test.

Step 1: Reduce cardiovascular risk

The first step is usually to stop smoking and avoid tobacco exposure, follow a heart-healthy eating pattern, stay physically active as appropriate, manage weight, and attend follow-up visits. These measures work alongside clinician-guided monitoring and should be tailored to a person’s symptoms, fitness, and other medical conditions.

Step 2: Use medicines when indicated

Prescribed medicines may help control cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, or the risk of blood clots. Take medicines as directed and discuss side effects or concerns with the prescribing clinician rather than stopping treatment independently.

For severe narrowing or complications, procedures such as angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery may be considered to restore blood flow. These options require evaluation by an appropriate specialist and are not needed for every person with arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis.

These steps can lower risk and slow progression, but they cannot eliminate nonmodifiable effects such as aging or inherited risk. Prevention is most effective when several risk factors are addressed together.

Arteriosclerosis is usually a long-term condition rather than a problem that is quickly cured. However, progression and complication risk can often be reduced by controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and tobacco exposure and by following an individualized treatment plan. Regular monitoring can help identify changes early.

Arrange a medical appointment for chest discomfort with exertion, leg pain with walking, unexplained shortness of breath, or numbness or coolness in an extremity. You should also discuss concerns about high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, or a family history of artery disease. A clinician can assess symptoms of arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis and recommend appropriate testing.