Final answer:
Arteriosclerosis is the condition where the arterial walls become thick, hard, and non-elastic, commonly caused by the buildup of plaque, and is distinct from coronary occlusion, angina pectoris, and congestive heart failure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hardening of the arteries, a condition where the arterial walls become thick, hard, and non-elastic due to various factors including the buildup of plaque, is known as arteriosclerosis. This is different from coronary occlusion, which is the blockage of a coronary artery that can lead to a heart attack or myocardial infarction (MI), and angina pectoris, which is chest pain that results from inadequate oxygen to the heart muscles. This hardening occurs over time and can lead to serious cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease, which is a major cause of death worldwide. It is important to distinguish arteriosclerosis from congestive heart failure, which is a condition where the heart is unable to pump blood effectively.