Risk factors include smoking , diabetes , obesity , high blood cholesterol , a diet high in fats , and having a personal or family history of heart disease . Cerebrovascular disease , peripheral vascular disease , high blood pressure , and kidney disease involving dialysis are also disorders that may also be associated with atherosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis means hardening of the arteries. It accompanies atherosclerosis and is not clearly separated from it. It involves deposits along the arteries, which often contain calcium.
Atherosclerosis shows no symptoms until a complication occurs.
Pulses may be decreased in the affected area. These include medications such as cholestyramine , colestipol , nicotinic acid , gemfibrozil, probucol, lovastatin , and others. Balloon angioplasty uses a balloon-tipped catheter to flatten plaque and increase blood flow past the occlusion. The technique is similar to that used to open the arteries of the heart, but it can be applied to many other arteries in the body. Follow the health care provider's recommendations for treatment and control of hypertension , diabetes , and other diseases.