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Definition of Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis is a pathological condition characterized by "thickening and hardening of the walls of the artery, with impairment of blood circulation, as in old age," as defined by the New International Dictionary of the English Language.

  1. Features

    • The arterial walls also lose their elasticity--the ability to expand, contract and flex, as stated by Merriam-Webster.

    Identification

    • Plaque buildup causes artery hardening and narrowing. The blood flow becomes restricted and eventually decreases and inhibits its flow to the heart.

    Effects

    • The decreased blood flow causes chest pain. Circulating plaque debris and blood clots formed on the plaque may cause a blockage to form in the heart, brain or lungs. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this can result in a heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism.

    Causes

    • Artery hardening may result from calcification of the arterial walls or deposits of fat in the arteries' inner lining. Hypertension is another cause for arterial wall thickening, according to MedicineNet.

    Synonyms

    • Princeton University states that arteriosclerosis is also referred to as hardening of the arteries, coronary artery disease, arterial sclerosis and induration of the arteries. It is also known as atherosclerosis, which is a specific type of arteriosclerosis.

    History

    • Arteriosclerosis is a modern Latin term combining arterial and sclerosis. Merriam-Webster dates its English language usage back to 1881.

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