Arteriosclerosis

Circulatory System

The term arteriosclerosis means thickening and hardening of artery walls. Deposits of fatty substances collect along the artery walls. Arteriosclerosis leads to scaring and calcium deposits, which result in hardened and narrowed blood vessels. Eventually it can cause the total obstruction of an artery, and destruction of nearby tissue.

Alternately, arteriosclerosis can cause blood vessels to widen or rupture into an aneurysm. The vital organs that are most affected by this condition are the heart, brain and the legs. Strong risk factors are high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Improper diet is a major cause of this condition; saturated fats, deep fried foods, too much meat and too little fibre, fresh vegetables and fruit.

Other contributors are coffee, caffeine-loaded colas, alcohol, and a diet rich in sweets, fast food and refined foods.

Atherosclerosis is a common form of arteriosclerosis in which fatty substances form a deposit of plaque on the inner lining of arterial walls. Moderate and advanced atherosclerosis can be halted and reversed without drug treatment with dietary changes and working to keep levels of serum cholesterol low.