Word: Arterial Sclerosis
Definition: Arterial sclerosis is a medical condition where the walls of the arteries become thick and stiff. This makes it harder for blood to flow through them, which can lead to various health problems.
In more advanced discussions, you might encounter phrases like "atherosclerotic changes," which refer to specific types of arterial sclerosis involving the buildup of fats and cholesterol in the arteries.
While "arterial sclerosis" specifically refers to arteries, "sclerosis" alone can also refer to hardening in other parts of the body, such as multiple sclerosis, which affects the nervous system.
Arterial sclerosis is an important concept in understanding cardiovascular health. It describes a specific condition where the arteries become stiff, which can lead to serious health issues.