Atherosclerosis Versus Arteriosclerosis

The terms atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis are frequently used as though they are the same condition. While both conditions are types of coronary artery disease, and may lead to the need for heart surgery, they are not the same.

Arteriosclerosis:

Arteriosclerosis is hardening of the arteries. This condition not only thickens the wall of arteries, but also causes stiffness and a loss of elasticity. Over time, the arteries become harder and harder as they are slowly damaged by high blood pressure. Arteriosclerosis may be presentin any artery of the body, but the disease is most concerning when it attacks the coronary arteries and threatens to cause a heart attack.

Atherosclerosis is the most common type of arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, and caused by plaque building up in the vessel. Over time the plaque causes thickening of the walls of the artery. Stiffness and a loss of elasticity also result.

Arteriosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries, occurs when the arterial walls thicken and then harden as calcium deposits form. If the coronary vessels are affected, this is known as coronary artery disease.

Atherosclerosis is another type of hardening of the arteries in which lipids, particularly cholesterol, build up on the side arterial walls. Risk factors for atherosclerosis include cigarette smoking, a high fat/high cholesterol diet, and hypertension.

Read more: http://www.answers.com/topic/what-is-the-difference-between-arteriosclerosis-and-atherosclerosis#ixzz1DZHwlbVM

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