Atherosclerosis is disease that affects vessels of pure blood means arteries. Sometimes arteries wall becomes thick due to fatty deposition so that elasticity of the artery decreases. The fatty deposition also called as plaques that make arteries wall more and more hard. Atherosclerosis may start in childhood and can affect the arteries of the brain, heart, kidneys, other vital organs, and the arms and legs.

We can divide this plaque into 2 categories,

• Hard and stable that causes arteries wall to harden and thicken.
  
• Soft and unstable that breaks arteries wall and enter in the blood stream
  
  

There are 3 terms arteriosclerosis, arteriolosclerosis and atherosclerosis related to thickening of arteries wall. Arteriosclerosis term is used in general sense when wall of any arteries get hard and loose their elasticity. Arteriolosclerosis term is used when arteriosclerosis happens in small arteries, arterioles. If deposition at inner wall of artery is atheromatous plaque then arteriosclerosis is known as atherosclerosis.

Causes of Atherosclerosis:

Atherosclerosis starts at early age and then progress after that. Following are various reasons due to those arteries becomes hard.

If a person have physical stress because of any reason then there are chances of happening Atherosclerosis. High blood pressure is also one of the main reason due to that Atherosclerosis may be possible. Instead of these any infection in artery wall, high cholesterol level in your food, atheroma are also risk factor for Atherosclerosis

Symptoms of Atherosclerosis:

Atherosclerosis doesn’t show any symptoms until arteries get severe blockage or completely blockage. Symptoms will depend on location of affected artery.

• Stroke may occur if arteries of brain are affected.
  
• Coronary artery disease may possible if affected artery area is of heart.
  
• If affected areas are legs, arms and pelvis then peripheral arterial disease will identify.
  
• Reno vascular hypertension may also possible in case of affected area as kidney.
  

Diagnosis & Treatment of Atherosclerosis:

Doctor may identify Atherosclerosis through blood test, chest x-rays, CT scan, ultrasound test, angiography etc. Atherosclerosis and the related other complications may treated and controlled in a no of ways. Most patients require treatment combining lifestyle changes and medication, but some may require surgery. To prevent yourself through Atherosclerosis we should avoid fats, smoking and drinking and should do exercise and eat healthy food.