Symptoms depend on the organ system involved.
All three forms of arteriosclerosis may be present in the same patient, but in different blood vessels. When reference is made to hardening of the arteries, in most instances it is atherosclerosis that is meant. Frequently, the terms arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are used interchangeably. It is the responsibility of the health care provider to help individuals modify or eliminate from their lives risk factors for the development of arteriosclerosis. These include cigarette smoking, obesity, elevated cholesterol levels, and sedentary life style.