Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis
Blood vessel-plaque and cholesterol
SpecialtyPathology
SymptomsSudden weakness[1]
CausesSmoking, High blood pressure[1]
Diagnostic methodBlood test, EKG[1]
TreatmentTreatment of underlying condition[2]

Arteriosclerosis, literally meaning "hardening of the arteries", is an umbrella term for a vascular disorder characterized by abnormal thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity[3] of the walls of arteries;[4] this process gradually restricts the blood flow to one's organs and tissues and can lead to severe health risks brought on by atherosclerosis, which is a specific form of arteriosclerosis caused by the buildup of fatty plaques, cholesterol, and some other substances in and on the artery walls (it can be brought on by smoking, a bad diet, or many genetic factors).

Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke, with multiple genetic and environmental contributions. Genetic-epidemiologic studies have identified a long list of genetic and non-genetic risk factors for CAD. However, such studies indicate that family history is the most significant independent risk factor.[citation needed]

  1. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference ref1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference ac was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Yokobori, Jr; Ohmi, Toshihito; Monma, Ryouhei; Tomono, Yuki; Inoue, Kyousuke; Owa, Michiaki; Ichiki, Masataka; Mochizuki, Noriko; Yamashita, Hidetoshi (2013-01-01). "Correlation between the characteristics of acceleration and visco elasticity of artery wall under pulsatile flow conditions (physical meaning of I * as a parameter of progressive behaviors of atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis)". Bio-Medical Materials and Engineering. 23 (1–2): 75–91. doi:10.3233/BME-120734. ISSN 0959-2989. PMID 23442239.
  4. ^ "arteriosclerosis" at Dorland's Medical Dictionary