Word parts
What it means
The general name for arteries that become thick, hard and less elastic. It happens with age and is made worse by high blood pressure, diabetes and smoking. Stiff arteries cannot widen with each heartbeat, so blood pressure rises and blood flow to organs can drop. atherosclerosisath-er-oh-skluh-ROH-sisA buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.ather/o fatty pastescler/o hard-osis conditionFull entry , the buildup of fatty plaque, is its most common kind.
At a glance
| Everyday words | hardening of the arteries |
|---|---|
| Spanish | arteriosclerosis |
| Also written | arteriosclerotic, hardening of the arteries |
Easy to confuse with
atherosclerosis
A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.
Related terms
hypertension
Blood pressure that stays higher than normal, at or above 130/80 mm Hg by current US guidelines.
-osis
A word ending that means an abnormal condition or process, or an increase.
artery
A blood vessel that takes blood from the heart out to the body.
atherosclerosis
A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.