Arteriosclerosis is a condition of the arteries that can lead to various diseases of the heart, brain, kidneys, and feet. Though it does not cause any symptoms in the early stages, it manifests in the form of symptoms of heart disease, peripheral artery disease symptoms, stroke symptoms, and chronic kidney disease in later stages.
What is arteriosclerosis?
Arteriosclerosis occurs when the arteries of either the brain, heart, feet, or the kidneys are hardened. Arteriosclerosis leads to many disease conditions like:
- Angina pectoris
- Coronary artery disease
- Coronary thrombosis
- Stroke
- Peripheral artery disease
- High blood pressure
- Chronic kidney disease
What happens in arteriosclerosis?
Arteriosclerosis is a disease of the arteries and can occur in any part of the body. In this condition, there is increased accumulation of fatty substances and cholesterol in the inner walls of the arteries. This leads to thickening of the arteries along with formation of lesions.
As the arteries begin to get thickened, they also get narrow. This leads to reduced blood flow to the respective organs they supply blood to. The walls of the arteries lose their elasticity and undergo calcification. Calcification is when there is accumulation of calcium salts. This restricts the flow of blood.
Difference between Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis
- Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis
- Arteriosclerosis consists of atherosclerosis, Mönckeberg’s arteriosclerosis, hyaline, and hyperplastic arteriosclerosis
- In arteriosclerosis, there is hardening and thickening of artery walls. In atherosclerosis, arteries get narrower due to deposition of plaque
- Arteriosclerosis occurs in small and medium sized arteries while atherosclerosis occurs in the medium and large arteries due to the buildup of plaque
Arteriosclerosis complications
- Coronary artery disease
- Stroke
- Circulation problems in the legs and feet
- Aneurysms
- Internal bleeding that can be life-threatening
- Chronic kidney disease
Arteriosclerosis Symptoms
Arteriosclerosis symptoms depend upon the arteries that are hardened. However, one does not experience any symptoms till there is 70% of damage. Since arteriosclerosis affects the small and medium-sized arteries, symptoms like pain, cramps of the respective organs are possible symptoms. Other symptoms include:
- Angina symptoms
- Peripheral artery disease symptoms like leg numbness
- Coronary artery disease symptoms
- Symptoms of chronic kidney disease
Symptoms of arteriosclerosis depend upon the affected area. In the case of aneurysms, both aortic aneurysm and brain aneurysm have different symptoms
