Arteriosclerosis: Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Complications

Arteriosclerosis is thickening and hardening of arterial walls. The most common form, atherosclerosis, results from plaque buildup (cholesterol, fat, calcium). Plaque narrows arteries, reducing blood flow and causing:

• Heart attack (coronary blockage)
• Stroke (cerebral blockage)
• Peripheral artery disease (limb blockage)
• Aortic aneurysm
• Kidney failure, blindness

Risk Factors

• High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes
• Smoking, obesity, physical inactivity
• Family history

If you have risk factors, discuss prevention strategies with your doctor.