When it comes to heart health, two terms are often confused: atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. They sound similar, but they don’t mean the same thing.
Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Arteriosclerosis, more broadly, refers to arteries becoming stiff and less flexible. Understanding the difference helps you know what’s happening in your body and why it matters.
You may not notice either condition in its early stages, but both can progress quietly and increase your risk of serious health problems. Knowing what sets them apart, what causes them, and how they develop gives you the power to take action before complications appear.
Both atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis change the way your arteries function, but they do so in different ways. One involves a buildup inside the artery walls, while the other involves stiffening of the artery structure itself.
Understanding these differences helps you know how each condition develops and why they affect blood flow differently.
Arteriosclerosis is a broad term that refers to the hardening and loss of elasticity in the walls of your arteries. As arteries stiffen, blood has a harder time moving through them, which can raise blood pressure.
Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis. It happens when plaque builds up inside your arteries.
This plaque is primarily composed of cholesterol, fatty substances, calcium, and other cellular debris. The two words are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same.
Arteriosclerosis describes stiffness, while atherosclerosis describes narrowing caused by deposits. Both conditions increase stress on your cardiovascular system, but they develop through different mechanisms.
In arteriosclerosis, the walls of the arteries lose elasticity. Healthy arteries expand and contract with each heartbeat, but stiff arteries cannot adjust as easily.
This makes your heart work harder to push blood forward. In atherosclerosis, the problem lies inside the artery.
Plaque buildup narrows the passageway, which reduces oxygen-rich blood flow to your organs and tissues. Over time, this narrowing can cause chest pain, leg cramps, or even increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.
While arteriosclerosis mainly affects the structure of artery walls, atherosclerosis directly reduces the space inside the arteries. Both changes weaken circulation, but in different ways.
Atherosclerosis involves the formation of fatty deposits, known as plaques. These deposits include cholesterol, triglycerides, white blood cells, and calcium.
As they grow, they form a thickened area that sticks to the inner lining of the artery. Plaque may remain stable for years, but it can also rupture.
If it ruptures, a blood clot may form, completely blocking blood flow. This is often the direct cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Arteriosclerosis does not involve fatty plaque. Instead, it results from calcium deposits and the breakdown of elastic fibers in the artery walls.
This stiffening process happens naturally with age but can worsen with high blood pressure or other risk factors.
Atherosclerosis is considered a subset of arteriosclerosis. This means that every case of atherosclerosis is also a case of arteriosclerosis, but not every case of arteriosclerosis is a case of atherosclerosis.
You can think of arteriosclerosis as the general condition of hardened arteries, while atherosclerosis is one specific cause of that hardening. For example, someone may have stiff arteries from aging without any plaque buildup, which is arteriosclerosis but not atherosclerosis.
In many people, the two conditions overlap. Stiff arteries from arteriosclerosis can exacerbate plaque buildup in atherosclerosis.
Likewise, plaque buildup can lead to further stiffening of artery walls. This interaction raises the risk of cardiovascular disease when both are present.
Both atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis develop when your arteries become damaged over time. The causes and risks include lifestyle habits, medical conditions, and inherited traits that affect how your blood vessels function and the flow of blood through them.
Atherosclerosis begins with injury to the inner lining of your arteries, called the endothelium. This damage makes the artery wall more likely to collect cholesterol, fats, and cellular waste.
High levels of LDL cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking are primary triggers. These factors weaken the vessel walls, allowing plaque to form.
Conditions such as diabetes and chronic inflammation also increase your risk. High blood sugar damages artery walls, while inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis increase vessel injury.
If plaque breaks apart, blood clots can form and block circulation. This is why atherosclerosis is strongly linked to heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral artery disease.
Arteriosclerosis is a broader condition where arteries lose flexibility and become stiff. Unlike atherosclerosis, it does not always involve the buildup of plaque.
The most common cause is long-term high blood pressure. When your arteries are constantly under pressure, their walls thicken and harden to withstand the force.
This reduces their ability to expand and contract. Other contributors include chronic stress, which raises blood pressure, and aging, which naturally decreases artery elasticity.
Conditions such as kidney disease can also lead to stiffened arteries. Lifestyle choices also play a role.
A diet high in sodium, low physical activity, and excess alcohol use can worsen arterial stiffness. These changes limit blood flow and increase the strain on your heart.
Some risks overlap between the two conditions, while others are more specific to each.
Shared risk factors include:
Unique to atherosclerosis: Plaque buildup from high LDL cholesterol, chronic inflammation, and clot formation.
Unique to arteriosclerosis: Loss of artery elasticity due to aging, long-term hypertension, and stiffened vessel walls without plaque.
Both conditions become more dangerous when multiple risk factors are present. For example, smoking combined with high blood pressure increases your chance of serious heart and vascular problems.
Your age and family history strongly influence your risk for both conditions. As you get older, your arteries naturally stiffen, even if you live a healthy lifestyle.
This process increases the likelihood of arteriosclerosis in individuals over 50. For atherosclerosis, plaque buildup can begin as early as childhood.
Men often face a higher risk after age 45, while women’s risk rises after age 55, especially after menopause. Genetics also matters.
If your parents or siblings had heart disease, high cholesterol, or early strokes, your risk increases. Some people inherit conditions such as familial hypercholesterolemia, which causes very high cholesterol from birth.
These inherited traits combine with lifestyle factors. Even if you cannot change your genes, you can lower your risk by managing blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight through healthy daily habits.
Artery problems often develop slowly and may not cause clear signs until blood flow is reduced. When symptoms do appear, they usually reflect the location of the affected arteries and the severity of the blockage or stiffening.
In the early stages, you may notice no symptoms at all. Arteries can narrow silently for years before you feel any changes.
This is why many people first learn about artery disease after a complication such as a heart attack or stroke. As narrowing becomes more severe, you may develop fatigue, shortness of breath, or dizziness during activity.
These symptoms occur because your organs and muscles are not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood. Advanced disease often brings more specific signs.
You may feel chest pain (angina) when your heart works harder, or leg cramping (claudication) when you walk. These symptoms tend to improve with rest but return with activity.
In some cases, you may also notice numbness, weakness, or cold sweats. These are warning signs that blood flow is significantly reduced.
Atherosclerosis develops when plaque builds up inside your arteries. The symptoms depend on which arteries are affected.
Shortness of breath or nausea may also appear.
These may be signs of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke.
The pain usually stops when you rest.
Because plaque can rupture, atherosclerosis may also trigger a heart attack or stroke if a clot completely blocks blood flow.
Arteriosclerosis refers to the general stiffening and thickening of the walls of arteries. Unlike atherosclerosis, it does not always involve the buildup of plaque.
Early on, you may not notice any symptoms. Over time, stiff arteries can lead to increased blood pressure because the vessels cannot expand easily.
This may cause headaches, dizziness, or a feeling of pressure, as well as fatigue or shortness of breath during everyday activities.
Reduced flexibility in the arteries can also strain your heart, sometimes leading to heart failure. Unlike atherosclerosis, arteriosclerosis symptoms are less localized to a specific area of the body.
Instead, they often reflect the overall burden on your circulation and heart function.
Both conditions can lead to serious complications if untreated. Heart attacks occur when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked.
You may feel sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, cold sweats, or nausea. A stroke happens when blood flow to your brain is interrupted.
Warning signs include weakness or numbness on one side of the body, slurred speech, or sudden loss of vision. Other complications include peripheral artery disease, which causes cramping and poor circulation in your legs, and chronic kidney disease from reduced blood flow to the kidneys.
In severe cases, reduced circulation can cause tissue damage. This may lead to ulcers, infections, or even gangrene in the limbs.
Recognizing these warning signs early is essential to prevent lasting damage.
Diagnosing atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis requires a step-by-step approach that examines your symptoms, risk factors, and arterial health. Doctors use physical exams, lab tests, imaging, and sometimes more advanced procedures to confirm the presence and severity of artery changes.
Your doctor typically begins with a physical examination and a thorough review of your medical history. They may listen to your arteries with a stethoscope to detect abnormal sounds, such as a whooshing noise, which can signal narrowed blood flow.
You will likely be asked about chest pain, shortness of breath, leg cramps, or a history of stroke-like symptoms. Risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and family history of heart disease are also important.
A careful review of your lifestyle, including diet, exercise, and tobacco use, helps identify habits that may contribute to the development of artery disease. This information helps guide you to the tests that are most appropriate for you.
Blood tests help measure substances linked to artery disease. High levels of LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides increase your risk.
Low levels of HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol) exacerbate the condition. Your doctor may also check your blood sugar to screen for diabetes, which raises the risk of atherosclerosis.
Another helpful test is C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation that can indicate damage to the arteries.
Non-invasive imaging tests let your doctor see how well blood flows through your arteries. An ultrasound with Doppler technology can measure blood speed and detect blockages.
The ankle-brachial index (ABI) compares blood pressure in your ankle and arm. A lower reading in the ankle suggests narrowed arteries in the legs.
Other tools include an echocardiogram, which uses sound waves to view the heart’s structure and blood flow. A stress test monitors your heart during exercise or with medication that simulates activity.
Advanced imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, can detect calcium buildup or narrowing in major arteries before symptoms appear. These tests provide detailed views without the need for surgery.
In some cases, you may require invasive procedures for a more detailed examination. An angiogram or angiography involves threading a catheter through a blood vessel, usually in the groin or wrist, and injecting dye to highlight blockages on X-ray images.
Cardiac catheterization not only shows narrowed arteries but can also be combined with treatments, such as placing a stent to open a blockage.
Other advanced methods, like positron emission tomography (PET) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), may be used to evaluate blood flow in detail or detect aneurysms. These tests are often reserved for complex cases or when non-invasive imaging is not enough.
Treatment for artery disease often involves a combination of daily habits, prescription drugs, and, in some cases, medical procedures. The best approach depends on whether the problem is stiffened arteries in general or plaque buildup that narrows blood flow.
You can lower your risk of both atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis through consistent lifestyle changes. Regular exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, helps maintain healthy blood pressure and improves circulation.
A heart-healthy diet is key. Choose foods rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats like omega-3s.
Limit foods high in saturated fats, added sugars, and excess salt. Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake also reduces strain on your arteries.
Maintaining a healthy weight and controlling conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure play an important role in slowing disease progression.
When lifestyle changes are not enough, medications are often prescribed. For atherosclerosis, the most common drugs are statins, which lower LDL cholesterol and help stabilize plaque.
Other options include fibrates, niacin, and cholesterol absorption inhibitors. If you have high blood pressure, medications such as ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, or calcium channel blockers may be prescribed.
These drugs reduce vessel strain and lower the risk of complications. Antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin, may also be recommended to reduce the risk of clot formation.
The choice of medication depends on your overall risk profile, cholesterol levels, and other health conditions.
If arteries become severely narrowed or blocked, procedures may be needed to restore blood flow. Angioplasty is a standard option, where a balloon is inflated inside the artery to widen it.
Often, a stent is placed to keep the artery open. In more advanced cases, bypass surgery may be performed.
This involves rerouting blood around a blocked artery using a vessel graft. These procedures are typically considered after medical therapy and lifestyle changes have been insufficient.
Arteriosclerosis refers broadly to the stiffening of the arteries, whereas atherosclerosis is specifically related to the buildup of plaque. As a result, the focus of treatment can differ.
For arteriosclerosis, the main goal is to manage blood pressure and maintain vessel elasticity. Lifestyle changes, antihypertensive medications, and regular monitoring are essential.
For atherosclerosis, the priority is reducing cholesterol levels, stabilizing plaque, and preventing blockages. This often requires statins, antiplatelet therapy, and sometimes surgical intervention.
Both conditions benefit from exercise, diet, and quitting smoking. The medical focus shifts depending on whether stiffness or plaque buildup is the primary issue.
Both atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis develop slowly and can lead to serious problems like coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, stroke, or heart attack.
You can lower your long-term risk by controlling known factors and supporting vascular health through daily choices.
You reduce your chances of complications by addressing the main risk factors. These include high blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and smoking.
Each one directly affects how your arteries age and the amount of plaque that builds up in the vessel walls. A healthy diet plays a central role.
Focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and seeds while limiting processed foods and added sugars. This helps regulate cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Medication may also be necessary. Drugs like statins lower cholesterol, while blood pressure medicines reduce strain on artery walls.
If you have diabetes, maintaining blood sugar levels within the target range is crucial. Regular check-ups allow your provider to track changes over time.
Blood tests, blood pressure checks, and lifestyle reviews help guide adjustments before problems become severe.
Once arteriosclerosis or atherosclerosis begins, the goal shifts to slowing its growth and preventing blocked blood flow. Narrowed arteries can reduce the oxygen supply to the heart, brain, and limbs, leading to conditions such as coronary artery disease, stroke, or peripheral artery disease.
You can slow progression by staying active. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, such as brisk walking or cycling.
Physical activity improves circulation and lowers blood pressure. Avoiding tobacco is one of the most effective steps you can take.
Smoking damages artery walls, accelerates plaque buildup, and increases the risk of clotting. In some cases, your doctor may recommend procedures such as angioplasty or bypass surgery if blood flow becomes severely restricted.
These treatments help restore circulation, reducing symptoms and associated risks.
Prevention is most effective when it becomes an integral part of your daily routine. Building long-term habits can protect your arteries and lower your risk of heart disease.
Begin with balanced meals that include lean proteins, fiber-rich foods, and healthy fats from sources such as olive oil and seeds. Limit salt to support normal blood pressure.
Make physical activity part of your schedule. Even short walks after meals can improve how your body handles blood sugar and circulation.
Stress management also matters. Chronic stress can raise blood pressure and contribute to the development of unhealthy habits.
Techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or simple hobbies can help.
While atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis share similarities, understanding their differences is crucial for effective prevention and treatment. Atherosclerosis refers to the buildup of fatty plaque inside artery walls, while arteriosclerosis describes the stiffening and loss of elasticity in arteries. Both conditions can progress silently for years, eventually leading to serious outcomes such as heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease. Recognizing risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, and family history helps you take meaningful steps to protect your vascular health. Lifestyle changes like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding tobacco, combined with timely medical care, significantly reduce risks and slow progression. Awareness and action today can help safeguard your heart and circulatory system for years to come.
Stay proactive about your cardiovascular health—book an appointment with CVG Cares today to get expert guidance and care.
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