As the vessel walls thicken, the passageways through the vessels narrow, decreasing the blood supply to the affected region. If the leg vessels are affected, there may be pain with walking and an onset of gangrene. 1 Arteriosclerosis risk factors include hypertension , elevated levels of fats in the blood, cigarette smoking, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. Treatment of hypertension, stress management, and cessation of smoking are also important. Increasing consumption of antioxidants and folic acid may be protective.
Exercise often can increase utilization of excess low-density lipids.
Although the relationship between blood cholesterol levels and arteriosclerosis is not fully understood, the utilization of low-density lipids appears to be a primary indicator of the risk of arteriosclerosis. The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Click here to shop the Bartleby Bookstore .