Translations:Atherosclerosis/1/en
| Atherosclerosis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Arteriosclerotic vascular disease (ASVD) |
 | |
| The progression of atherosclerosis (narrowing exaggerated) | |
| Specialty | Cardiology, angiology |
| Symptoms | None |
| Complications | Coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, kidney problems |
| Usual onset | Youth (worsens with age) |
| Causes | Accumulation of saturated fats, smoking, high blood pressure and diabetes |
| Risk factors | High blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, family history, unhealthy diet (notably trans fat), chronic Vitamin C deficiency |
| Prevention | Healthy diet, exercise, not smoking, maintaining a normal weight |
| Medication | Statins, blood pressure medication, aspirin |
| Frequency | ≈100% (>65 years old) |
Atherosclerosis is a pattern of the disease arteriosclerosis, characterized by development of abnormalities called lesions in walls of arteries. These lesions may lead to narrowing of the arterial walls due to buildup of atheromatous plaques. At onset there are usually no symptoms, but if they develop, symptoms generally begin around middle age. In severe cases, it can result in coronary artery disease, stroke, peripheral artery disease, or kidney disorders, depending on which body parts(s) the affected arteries are located in the body.