Arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, occurs when there is too much pressure on the arteries, making the walls thick and stiff. This restricts blood flow to the organs and tissues. According to Medline Plus, atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis in which fatty deposits occur along the walls of the arteries. When this fatty material thickens and hardens, it forms calcium deposits (plaque), restricting blood flow. These plaques can also burst, leading to formation of blood clots. According to the Mayo Clinic, atherosclerosis mainly affects the arteries of the heart; however, it can affect arteries anywhere in the body.
Although atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis, the two terms are often used interchangeably. According to Medline Plus, the causes of atherosclerosis include diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, smoking and other factors.
Diabetes Mellitus
According to Medline Plus, diabetes mellitus can cause atherosclerosis. Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the individual has high levels of sugar in the blood. High concentrations of glucose in the blood tend to increase the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, causing blockages and blood clots.
High Blood Pressure and High Cholesterol Levels
According to Medline Plus, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels are risk factors that can lead to atherosclerosis. The Mayo Clinic says that getting too much cholesterol in the diet can raise the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol and reduce the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol in the blood. This in turn can cause atherosclerosis. Hypertension or high blood pressure is another factor that puts an individual at an increased risk of atherosclerosis.
Smoking and Other Factors
According to Medline Plus, other factors also increase the risk of atherosclerosis in an individual. Medline Plus says that smoking is one factor that increases the chances of hardening of the arteries. Heavy alcohol use is another habit that can increase the risk of atherosclerosis. Intake of a high-fat diet increases the formation of plaque in the arteries. According to Patient UK, a diet that is high in fat but low in fruits and vegetables increases the risk of atherosclerosis, although it depends on the type of fat that is taken. Medline Plus says that obesity, a personal or family history of heart disease, and increasing age are factors that increase the chances of getting atherosclerosis. Besides these, chronic kidney disease, stress and a sedentary lifestyle can also be causes of this medical condition.
