What does atherosclerosis mean?

Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fatty deposits called plaques inside arterial walls, causing them to harden and narrow over time. The term breaks into athero meaning fatty substance or porridge-like material and sclerosis meaning hardening. As plaques grow, they restrict blood flow to organs and tissues. If a plaque ruptures, it can trigger a blood clot that completely blocks the artery, causing a heart attack if in a coronary artery or a stroke if in a cerebral artery. Risk factors include high cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyle.