Though they sound similar, arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are not the same. Learn how these two conditions can affect your heart health and what you can do to manage or prevent them.
Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two.
While one can naturally occur over time as you age, the other can come with serious risks including heart attack, stroke and amputation.
“Arteriosclerosis is the general term for hardening or thickening of the blood vessels and arteries,” said Amanda Bacon, a physical therapist at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Chattanooga in Tennessee. “Atherosclerosis is like the bad guy. He’s the plaque that comes in and blocks the arteries and blood vessels.”
What is the difference between arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis, also known as coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease, is a type of arteriosclerosis. It’s characterized by plaque buildup in the arteries and blood vessels.
Arteriosclerosis is the generic term for any thinning or hardening of the arteries and blood vessels and is common with age as your arteries and blood vessels begin to lose elasticity.
Atherosclerosis is when fats and cholesterol begin to build up on the artery walls causing them to thicken and limit or block blood flow. This narrowing or blockage of the arteries can occur anywhere in the body.
Other types of arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, include:
- Arteriolosclerosis: Hardening of small arteries
- Mönckeberg medial calcific sclerosis: Calcium buildup in the arteries
- Hyperplastic arteriolosclerosis: Protein deposits on the artery walls
Causes and risk factors
Atherosclerosis is a complex process. It generally starts when the inner lining of an artery wall becomes damaged. Once this delicate lining is injured, plaque — fats, cholesterol and other substances — begin to build up in the artery walls.
“There are some factors, like diet, obesity and smoking that cause inflammation in the arteries, so those blockages can get stuck,” Bacon said. “The blockages equal plaque. That’s cholesterol, fat and really any kind of cell waste. Those are the culprits.”
There are several risk factors —some you can control and some you cannot — that increase your chances of developing atherosclerosis.
Factors you can’t change
Some risk factors are built into your biology or history:
- Age: As you get older, your risk for both arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis increases. Artery walls naturally thicken over time.
- Family history: If you have close family members, such as a parent or sibling, who developed heart disease at an early age, your risk is higher. Genetics play a significant role in how your body processes cholesterol and manages blood pressure.
Factors you can manage
Many risk factors involve your overall health and daily habits. Your care team can work with you to manage these areas:
- High blood pressure: Over time, high blood pressure places physical stress on your artery walls, making them more vulnerable to damage and plaque buildup.
- High cholesterol: Having high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL cholesterol, often called "bad" cholesterol) provides the raw materials that form plaque.
- Smoking and tobacco use: Cigarette smoke damages your blood vessels, making it easier for plaque to stick to the walls.
- Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can damage the inner lining of your blood vessels and accelerate the development of atherosclerosis.
- Lack of physical activity: A sedentary lifestyle contributes to weight gain, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
- Inflammation: Conditions that cause chronic inflammation in your body can irritate your blood vessels and contribute to plaque formation.
Signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis
You likely won’t experience symptoms until the disease has progressed and there is narrowing of the arteries or blockage. At this time, depending on which arteries in your body are affected, you could experience:
- Chest pain or pressure, called angina
- Numbness and weakness in the legs and arms
- Leg pain
- Slurred speech
Complications from plaque buildup and blockage
When blood flow is blocked in the arteries, it prevents critical blood flow and oxygen to your organs. This can lead to more serious conditions and even death.
“Atherosclerosis is the underlying condition of a lot of patients we see, especially those with diabetes,” Bacon said. “When the blood gets blocked, that’s when you run into problems. At that point, most of the time you can't just put in a stent because it can become very hardened, even like calcified rock.”
Common complications from atherosclerosis include:
Amputation
Atherosclerosis is a major cause of non-traumatic amputations. If atherosclerosis causes restricted or blocked blood flow to the limbs, it could lead to tissue death and eventually amputation of the affected limb. Those with diabetes are at an increased risk of limb loss, especially if they are experiencing numbness, also known as neuropathy, in the feet or legs.
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked. Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of blocked blood flow.
Before a major stroke, individuals with atherosclerosis could experience a transient ischemic attack (TIA), also known as a mini-stroke. TIAs are typically a warning sign of a full-blown stroke in the near future.
Remember to act F.A.S.T. if you experience any of these symptoms:
- F — Face drooping
- A — Arms or leg weakness or numbness
- S — Slurred speech
- T — Time to call 911
Heart attack
Atherosclerosis is one of the primary causes of a heart attack.
The coronary arteries deliver oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. When plaque buildup restricts or blocks a coronary artery, the result is a heart attack.
Are arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis preventable?
Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are preventable to some extent, but as you get older, you are likely to have some hardening of your arteries and even some plaque buildup, Bacon said.
“Even if you take good care of yourself, by the time you are 60, you might have some atherosclerosis, so small blockages, but those might not lead to a heart attack or stroke.”
Though there is no cure for either, a healthy lifestyle and diet can go a long way in managing the conditions.
Avoid or limit:
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Highly processed foods
- Sugary soft drinks
Regular exercise and incorporating foods high in omega-3s, such as salmon and mackerel, can also go a long way in protecting your heart health and preventing plaque buildup in your arteries.