Diseases

Arterioscelerosis

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A chronic disease characterized by abnormal thickening and hardening of the arterial walls with resulting loss of elasticity — see atherosclerosis.

SYMPTOMS

Atherosclerosis often has no symptoms until a plaque ruptures or the build-up is severe enough to block blood flow.

CAUSES

High blood pressure., High cholesterol., High triglycerides, a type of fat (lipid) in your blood., Smoking and other sources of tobacco., Insulin resistance, obesity or diabetes., Inflammation from diseases, such as arthritis, lupus or infections, or inflammation of unknown cause.