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Arteriosclerosis, also known as Peripheral Vascular Disease, is a chronic disease affecting minor and major arteries. It is the abnormal thickening and hardening of artery walls caused by atheromas, fatty deposit build up, on the inner walls of arteries. Atheromas are made up of fatty material, cholesterol, calcium, scar tissues, and other substances that harden slightly and form plaques of arteriosclerosis that stick to the inner walls of arteries. This plaque decreases arterial elasticity which is necessary for normal blood flow.

When this condition affects the arteries of the heart, it is called coronary heart disease (coronary artery disease). Other arteries frequently affected by atherosclerosis include those supplying blood to the kidneys, arms and legs.

Men are slightly more likely than women to have peripheral vascular disease as they commonly have higher blood cholesterol levels than women. Common risk factors include coronary heart disease, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, family history, limited physical activity, obesity, and hypertension. Diabetics who smoke have a higher risk of getting a more severe case of arteriosclerosis than diabetics who do not.

Arteriosclerosis is a leading cause of disability among people older than 50 years and in those with diabetes; it can affect all large and medium-sized arteries, including the coronary (heart), carotid and cerebral arteries (brain), the aorta (heart), and major arteries of the extremities (arms and legs).

Symptoms
Atherosclerosis is initially asymptomatic - often for years - as it slowly develops and worsens with age. Although build up may begin as early as young adulthood, there are usually no signs or symptoms until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can't supply adequate blood to muscles and tissues.

Only about half of the individuals with peripheral vascular disease have symptoms. Having symptoms depends on which artery is affected and to what extent. Specific signs and symptoms depend on which arteries are affected. Obstruction of:

- coronary arteries (those that supply the heart) may cause symptoms of heart attack, such as chest pain.

- carotid arteries (those that supply the brain) may cause symptoms of stroke, such as sudden numbness, weakness or dizziness.

- peripheral arteries (those that supply the arms and legs) may cause symptoms of peripheral arterial disease, such as leg pain when walking, also known as intermittent claudication.

Having symptoms while at rest is a sign of more severe

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