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How is atherosclerosis different from arteriosclerosis?
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cardiovascular disease
This micrograph shows a cross section of a coronary artery narrowed by an atherosclerotic plaque (purplish matter inside the artery). Most heart attacks are caused by the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque, which triggers the formation of a clot that abruptly blocks blood flow to part of the heart muscle.
The terms are often confused, but they represent a hierarchical relationship: arteriosclerosis is a general term for the chronic thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity in arterial walls, while atherosclerosis is a specific, common type of arteriosclerosis.12
Key Differences
- Definition: Arteriosclerosis is the broad category of disease affecting arteries. Atherosclerosis is a distinct pattern characterized specifically by the buildup of fatty plaques (atheromas) in the inner layer of large and medium-sized arteries.12
- Pathology: Atherosclerosis involves the accumulation of cholesterol, lipids, debris, and connective tissue, which can narrow the arterial lumen and potentially rupture, leading to clots. In contrast, other forms of arteriosclerosis include:12
- Arteriolosclerosis: Affects small arteries and arterioles, often associated with hypertension or diabetes.1
- Monckeberg medial calcific sclerosis: Involves calcium deposits in muscular arteries, which generally does not narrow the lumen or cause clinical events like heart attacks.1
In summary, while all atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis, not all arteriosclerosis is atherosclerosis.1