Arteriosclerosis is a group of arterial diseases in which the arterial opening (lumen) becomes blocked (occluded) or narrowed concurrent with a loss of elasticity in the arterial wall. The three major forms of arteriosclerosis include atherosclerosis, medial arteriosclerosis, and arteriolar sclerosis. The group of arteriosclerotic diseases is most commonly known as hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis, the most frequent form of arteriosclerosis, results from the deposition of fatty deposits (atheromas) that form plaques along the inner layer of the arterial vessel wall. As the deposition of plaques continues, the lumen becomes increasing narrow and the deposition of plaque causes a calcification or hardening of the vessel wall. The calcification of the wall results in a loss of elasticity and an ability to dilate to increase blood flow when oxygen demand increases. Plaques due to fat deposition also provide sites for the deposition of blood platelets and blood clot...