Arteriosclerosis
is a disease of the arteries,
in which the walls of blood
vessels become thick and hard and lose elasticity. This may
affect the function of tissues
and organs which normally depend on that artery to provide
blood. Arteriosclerosis is the leading cause of death in the
US.
Risk for arteriosclerosis increases with
age; men are more at risk than women. Other risk factors include
sedentary lifestyle, hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity,
cigarette smoking, and diabetes mellitus. A family history
of arteriosclerosis is also associated with heightened risk.
Treatment includes regular exercise, low-fat diet, giving
up smoking, and avoiding stress.
Atherosclerosis
is a form of arteriosclerosis which is associated with cholesterol
deposits.
Further Reading:
Article : "VASCULAR
DEMENTIA"
by Catherine E. Myers. Copyright © 2006 Memory Loss and the Brain
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