Atherosclerosis is a disease condition that can occur throughout the arterial circulation.
It is a broad term that refers to the thickening and hardening of the arteries. Insufficiency of blood supply may result from a reduction of blood flow through one or more of these arteries. Heart cells are dependent on blood flow through these arteries to provide oxygen and to carry away metabolic products. Without an adequate flow of blood, these cells can become injured or die. When this occurs, immediate emergency treatment is necessary to stop the injury from widening, killing additional heart cells, and increasing the risk of complications or death.