What is the difference between arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis

Clotted or clogged arteries cause a lack of oxygen and hence, give you hypertension and severe pain in the affected area. Failing arteries also cause the heart to dysfunction, resulting in strokes. It is recommended to consult your healthcare provider if you experience unusual chest aching, irregular numbness of arm and legs, blurred vision or improper eyesight, kidney pain, or high blood pressure.

If you ever come across these symptoms, consult your doctor for a checkup. Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis share the same foundation of science; therefore, the doctors examine the patient thoroughly. After examining the symptoms of the disease, for example, hardened arteries, decreased blood pressure, and a weak pulse, the doctor suggests the patient opt for one or more of the following diagnostic tests:.

A special ultrasound device is used to measure the flow of blood at various parts of the body. The results of the ultrasound help the doctor analyze the affected area. Any blockages or unusual blood flow can also be measured with the Doppler ultrasound test. Doctors will most probably recommend blood tests. The tests will determine the presence of the disease and measure the cholesterol and sugar levels.

The blood tests mostly require an empty stomach, so the patient has to fast for 8 to 12 hours. Electrocardiogram, also known as ECG, is a device that records the electrical signals traveling through your heart.

The ECG can also reveal a previous heart stroke. The doctors may ask you to ride a stationary bike while taking the measurements of an electrocardiogram. To measure the condition of your heart, doctors can make you go through a stress test. This test reveals how well your heart is working. If you are unable to do a physical activity, a picture of your heart is taken by an echocardiogram.

The treatment is followed by healthy diet plans and some lifestyle changes. Sometimes there can also be a possibility of taking medical or surgical treatment. Arteriosclerosis is the result of old age. If the walls of the arteries are elastic, they can withstand the turbulence of blood flowing under high pressure which happens when we participate in sports, get angry or overexert in any manner.

As the arteries grow harder and thicker, they become more and more resistant to the blood flow and hence, the blood pressure keeps rising as age advances or disease worsens. Atherosclerosis is a potentially fatal condition affecting the arteries that can be extremely fulminating when it affects the cardiac arteries.

In atherosclerosis, there is a gradual increase in the deposition of plaque consists of cholesterol, lipids, calcium, white blood cells and clumps of platelets within the lumen causing narrowing or at times complete blockage of the artery.

The cause of atherosclerosis is not clear but there are multiple predisposing factors like heavy smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, genetic factors, and high serum levels of LDL and cholesterol, high alcohol intake etc.

Pathology of atherosclerosis is that the patient remains asymptomatic for many decades even. The plaque which is formed within the lumen may be either stable or unstable. If it is stable, it will not move and remain at one position for many years without producing any disturbance in the circulation. But if it is unstable, it is very vulnerable to detaching from the site of attachment in turbulent blood flow and may burst into the circulation causing a mobile plaque which can settle and block smaller lumen capillaries.

This plaque or thrombus which is formed becomes an embolus once detached from the original site and can block any artery. However, there are still differences in terms of the size of the arteries they commonly affect. While arteriosclerosis is common amongst arterioles or small arteries, atherosclerosis affects medium or large arteries.

Lastly, the changes in the arteries of a patient suffering from arteriosclerosis are dependent on several factors. Unlike atherosclerosis, which is solely caused by plaque build-up, arteriosclerosis involves a condition called intimal fibrosis, which pertains to the growth of excess fibrous connective tissue found in the innermost layer of the arterial wall.

Home Health Difference between Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis. By: Editorial Staff Updated: Dec-3, Did this article help you? Yes No. Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are sometimes used to mean the same thing, but there's a difference between the two terms. Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body arteries become thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues.

Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic, but over time, the walls in your arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on your artery walls. This buildup is called plaque. The plaque can cause your arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in your body.

Atherosclerosis can be treated. Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent atherosclerosis. You usually won't have atherosclerosis symptoms until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can't supply enough blood to your organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely blocks blood flow, or even breaks apart and can trigger a heart attack or stroke.

Symptoms of moderate to severe atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected. For example:. If you think you have atherosclerosis, talk to your doctor. Also pay attention to early symptoms of inadequate blood flow, such as chest pain angina , leg pain or numbness.

Early diagnosis and treatment can stop atherosclerosis from worsening and prevent a heart attack, stroke or another medical emergency. If you have too many cholesterol particles in your blood, cholesterol may accumulate on your artery walls. Eventually, deposits called plaques may form.

The deposits may narrow — or block — your arteries.