Hardening of the arteries, also called atherosclerosis, is a common disorder. It occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard structures called plaques.
Over time, these plaques can block the arteries and cause symptoms and problems throughout the body.
Alternative NamesAtherosclerosis; Arteriosclerosis; Plaque buildup - arteries
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsOver the course of years and decades, plaque buildup narrows your arteries and makes them stiffer. These changes make it harder for blood to flow through them.
Clots may form in these narrowed arteries and block blood flow. Pieces of plaque can also break off and move to smaller blood vessels, blocking them.
Either way, the blockage starves tissues of blood and oxygen, which can result in damage or tissue death (necrosis).This is a common cause of heart attack and stroke. If a clot moves into an artery in the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism.
In some cases, the plaque is part of a process that causes a weakening of the wall of an artery. This can lead to an aneurysm. Aneurysms can break open (rupture), and cause bleeding that can be life threatening.
Hardening of the arteries is a process that often occurs with aging. However, high blood cholesterol levels can make this process happen at a younger age.
For most people, high cholesterol levels are the result of an unhealthy lifestyle -- most commonly, eating a diet that is high in fat. Other lifestyle factors are heavy alcohol use, lack of exercise, and being overweight.
Other risk factors for hardening of the arteries are:
Hardening of the arteries does not cause symptoms until blood flow to part of the body becomes slowed or blocked.
If the arteries to the heart become narrow, blood flow to the heart can slow down or stop. This can cause chest pain (stable angina), shortness of breath, and other symptoms.
Narrowed or blocked arteries may also cause problems and symptoms in your intestines, kidneys, legs, and brain.
Signs and testsA health care provider will perform a physical exam and listen to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope. Atherosclerosis can create a whooshing or blowing sound ("bruit") over an artery.
Some national guidelines recommend having the first screening cholesterol test at age 20. Everyone should have their first screening test by age 35 in men, and age 45 in women. (Note: Different experts recommend different starting ages.)
A number of imaging tests may be used to see how well blood moves through your arteries.
To help prevent hardening of the arteries, make the following lifestyle changes:
Quit smoking -- this is the single most important change you can make to reduce your risk of Heart disease and stroke.
Get your blood pressure checked every 1 - 2 years before age 50 and yearly after age 50. Have your blood pressure checked more often if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, or you have had a stroke. Talk to your doctor about how often you should have your blood pressure checked.
If your blood pressure is high, it is important for you to lower it and keep it under control.
Your doctor may want you to take medicine for high cholesterol levels if lifestyle changes do not work. This will depend on:
Your doctor may suggest taking aspirin or another drug called clopidogrel (Plavix) to help prevent blood clots from forming in your arteries. These medicines are called antiplatelet drugs. DO NOT take aspirin without first talking to your doctor.
Expectations (prognosis)Hardening of the arteries cannot be reversed or turned back once it has occurred. However, lifestyle changes and treating high cholesterol levels can prevent or slow the process from becoming worse.
ComplicationsCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you are at risk for atherosclerosis, especially if you have symptoms.
Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise plan, especially if you have been diagnosed with coronary heart disease or you have ever had a heart attack.
ReferencesGennest J, Libby P. Lipoprotein disorders and cardiovascular disease. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 47.
Libby P. The vascular Biology of atherosclerosis. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 43.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 05/20/2011
David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Arteriosclerosis is hardening of the arteries.
Carotid arteriosclerosis is hardening of the main arteries in the neck.
Atherosclerosis is the narrowing and hardening of arteries due to cholesterol plaques.
No, it cannot.
hardening of the arteries
Hardening of the arteries occurs when plaque builds up on the inner lining and restricts blood and oxygen flow. This can result in heart attack, peripheral diseases, and stroke.
Hardening of the arteries ather- condition
This is atherosclerosis.
Hardening of the arteries is bad as it decreases blood flow and limits the amount of oxygen in the body. It can lead to heart attacks and strokes when pieces of plaque break off and block the passages.
You might be referring to arteriosclerosis, which is a cardiovascular disease that affects the arteries of the body. Sometimes it is also called hardening of the arteries.
All exterior, mid and internal layers. We dont say hardening, better we call Reduction of elasticity of the arteries and arteroles, With ageing, changes occur, so there is shortage of elasin and collagen fibers in the endothelial layers
Hardening of the arteries can create serious side effects such as strokes, heart attacks, and high blood pressure. Some of the causes of atherosclerosis include hereditary, smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, and obesity.