The combination of hard, stiff, and narrowed arteries allows even less blood to flow through. The heart has to work harder and harder to push the blood. Then the heart itself may become diseased or develop other problems. Incidence Men are somewhat more likely than women to have hardening of the arteries , but most people over the age of 50 have some level of arteriosclerosis . The older a person is, the more likely the presence of the disease.
Smokers are particularly at risk.
The disease also seems to run in families. Symptoms you are likely to notice Often as the arteries harden there are no immediate symptoms or warning signs. If blood flow to the legs or feet is slowed or blocked, however, you may feel aches and pains or heaviness and fatigue in the leg muscles or toes. This often occurs when you are exercising, climbing stairs, walking swiftly, or doing some other activity that puts a strain on the leg muscles. In some cases pain occurs even when you are resting or lying down.