Atherosclerosis? Atheroscerosis is a common misspelling of atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease that causes hardening and narrowing of medium to large blood vessels, such as the aorta and the coronary arteries. Among the most common locations for narrowing and hardening of the arteries are the heart, brain, and kidneys. As plaque builds up in these arteries, it can cause serious diseases and complications, including angina, heart attack, coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and sudden death. Some risk factors for the condition include age, diabetes, and being overweight or obese. Treatment for atherosclerosis may involve lifestyle changes, medication, certain medical procedures, or a combination of these.
(Click Atherosclerosis for the full eMedTV article on this topic. This article provides detailed information about atherosclerosis causes, diagnosis, effects, and treatment options.)