A disease of the arteries in which fatty material is deposited in the vessel wall, resulting in narrowing and eventual impairment of blood flow.
Atherosclerosis is a common disorder of the arteries.
Fat , cholesterol , and other substances accumulate in the walls of arteries and form atheromas or plaques. Clots may form around the plaque deposits, further interfering with blood flow. Severely restricted blood flow in the arteries to the heart muscle leads to symptoms such as chest pain . 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.