Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis, literally meaning "hardening of the arteries", is an umbrella term for a set of vascular disorders characterized by abnormal thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries. This process gradually restricts the blood flow to one's organs and tissues and can lead to severe health risks brought on by atherosclerosis, which is a specific form of arteriosclerosis caused by the buildup of fatty plaques, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the arterial walls. Risk factors include family history, smoking, and obesity.

Atherosclerosis is the primary cause of coronary artery disease (CAD) and stroke, with multiple genetic and environmental contributions. Genetic-epidemiologic studies have identified many genetic and non-genetic risk factors for CAD. However, such studies indicate that family history is the most significant independent risk factor.