atherosclerosis

American  

[ath-uh-roh-skluh-roh-sis, ath-] / ˌæθ ə roʊ skləˈroʊ sɪs, ˌæð- /

noun

Pathology.

1. a common form of arteriosclerosis in which fatty substances form a deposit of plaque on the inner lining of arterial walls.

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atherosclerosis British  

/ ˌæθərəʊsklɪəˈrəʊsɪs, ˌæθərəʊsklɪəˈrɒtɪk /

noun

1. a degenerative disease of the arteries characterized by patchy thickening of the inner lining of the arterial walls, caused by deposits of fatty material; a form of arteriosclerosis See atheroma

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atherosclerosis Scientific  

/ ăth′ə-rō-sklə-rō′sĭs /

1. A form of arteriosclerosis characterized by the deposition of plaques containing cholesterol and lipids on the innermost layer of the walls of large- and medium-sized arteries. Individuals with atherosclerosis have a higher risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. Smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and elevated levels of fat in the blood contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

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atherosclerosis Cultural  

1. A form of arteriosclerosis in which the arteries become clogged by the buildup of fatty substances, which eventually reduces the flow of blood to the tissues. These fatty substances, called plaque, are made up largely of cholesterol. (Compare arteriosclerosis; see circulatory system.)

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Other Word Forms

• atherosclerotic
  adjective
• atherosclerotically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of atherosclerosis

1905–10; < German Atherosklerose; see athero-, sclerosis

Compare meaning

How does atherosclerosis compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• atherosclerosis vs. arteriosclerosis

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

atherosclerosis

Researchers had previously found that gut microbes can modify bile acids and influence the amount of atherosclerosis, or fatty plaque buildup in the arteries, that develops over time.

From Science Daily ● Jun. 9, 2026

In this case, the buildup of senescent macrophages may contribute to conditions ranging from fatty liver disease to atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's and cancer.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 16, 2026

"These results demonstrate the benefit of intensive lowering cholesterol earlier and should change how we think about the prevention of heart attacks, strokes, and heart disease in patients without known significant atherosclerosis."

From Science Daily ● Mar. 30, 2026

The process of atherosclerosis — the slow buildup of plaques on the artery walls that can lead to heart attacks, strokes and other events — begins long before symptoms occur.

From MarketWatch ● Mar. 19, 2026

With 30 million Americans in this category, it has become one of the nation's chief health problems, and it is the predisposing factor in many other diseases such as heart trouble, diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis.

From A Practical Guide to Self-Hypnosis by Powers, Melvin