Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis is a condition in which cholesterol, fat, and other blood components build up on and in the walls of arteries, creating lesions or plaques.

arteriosclerosis is the leading cause of coronary heart disease (CHD), which contributes more significantly to disability and death in the United States than any other condition. Some 7 million Americans suffer from coronary heart disease (CHD), and each year, more
than 600,000 Americans die of heart attacks caused by CHD.

Many people use the term arteriosclerosis to mean "hardening of the arteries." Arteriosclerosis is the correct technical term for arteries that have become rigid, and arteriosclerosis describes those arteries that have become narrowed or blocked by fat and cholesterol.

The two conditions are very closely linked; therefore, the distinction between them is generally not significant.

High blood pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension occurs when the pressure of your blood against the arterial wall is higher than the normal range. A blood pressure reading involves two numbers. Systolic, the top number, measures the pressure on your arterial walls when your heart contracts, pushing blood through your circulatory system. Diastolic, the lower number, measures the pressure on your arterial walls between contractions when the heart is resting.

Normal Blood Pressure Below 120/80
High Normal Blood Pressure 130-139/85-89
High Blood Pressure 140/90

High Blood Pressure usually has so symptoms. However, it increases your risk for strokes, heart attacks, and kidney disease. In some cases, high blood pressure can be prevented. Many people with high blood pressure can control it by changing their lifestyle and may not need medication.

Take our short Heart Disease Risk Assessment

To Learn More About - Cardiovascular Disease

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center
National Cholesterol Education Program
Address: P.O. Box 30105 Bethesda, MD 20824-1222
Phone: (301) 592-8573 Fax: (301) 592-8563
Web site: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov

For patient educational materials, interactive quizzes, press release, clinical guidelines, please visit NHLBI on the World Wide Web at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov
To download a PowerPoint Slide Programs from the Web http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/nhlbi/othcomp/opec/nhaap/nhaapage.htm

American Heart Association National Center
Address: 7272 Greenville Ave. Dallas, TX 75231-4596
Phone: (800) 242-8721 Fax: (214) 373-6300
Web site: http://www.americanheart.org
For free catalog call: 800-611-6083