arteriolosclerosis

Arteriolosclerosis is a chronic disease characterized by the thickening and hardening of small arteries and arterioles, leading to a narrowed lumen and reduced blood flow. This condition is often associated with diabetes mellitus and high blood pressure, though it can also be a normal part of aging.1

While atherosclerosis affects larger arteries by forming fatty plaques, arteriolosclerosis specifically impacts smaller vessels. The narrowing of these vessels can cause ischemia, or insufficient blood supply, to the organs they serve. Unlike atherosclerosis, which can lead to heart attacks or strokes due to clot formation on plaques, arteriolosclerosis primarily results from the thickening of the vessel walls themselves.12