Final answer:
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which artery walls thicken and stiffen due to the buildup of plaques. It is caused by various factors and increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Atherosclerosis is a condition in which artery walls thicken and stiffen due to the buildup of plaques inside the arteries. Plaques consist of white blood cells, cholesterol, and other fats. Over time, the plaques may harden with the addition of calcium crystals, reducing the elasticity of the artery walls.
This condition is caused by factors such as genetics, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and tobacco use. Arteriosclerosis, which is a more generalized loss of compliance or “hardening of the arteries,” is a broader term that includes atherosclerosis as a specific type.
Atherosclerosis is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes as it can impede blood circulation to the heart and brain.