arteriosclerotic

Arteriosclerotic is an adjective describing changes in the arterial system characterized by thickening, stiffening, and loss of elasticity of the vessel walls. The term encompasses a range of age-related and disease-related alterations in arteries, including but not limited to arteriosclerosis and its subtypes such as hyaline arteriolosclerosis and hyperplastic arteriolosclerosis, as well as medial calcific sclerosis (Monckeberg sclerosis).

Arteriosclerotic changes can involve large elastic arteries as well as small muscular arteries and arterioles. In aging and in conditions such as long-standing hypertension and diabetes, the walls may accumulate collagen, become calcified, and lose compliant properties. While arteriosclerotic changes often coexist with atherosclerosis, they are distinct processes: atherosclerosis denotes plaque buildup within the intima that narrows the lumen, whereas arteriosclerotic changes refer more broadly to stiffening and thickening of the arterial wall.

Clinical consequences depend on the vessels affected and the degree of stiffening. Increased arterial stiffness raises systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure, and can contribute to end-organ hypoperfusion or ischemia, including in the coronary, cerebral, renal, and peripheral circulations. Diagnosis relies on imaging and functional studies that estimate arterial stiffness or detect vascular calcification; histology may show medial smooth muscle cell proliferation, basement membrane thickening, and calcification in advanced disease.

Management focuses on risk factor modification and treatment of comorbidities: controlling blood pressure, optimizing lipid and glucose levels, smoking cessation, weight management, exercise, and, when appropriate, antiplatelet therapy to prevent thrombotic events. There is no universally curative therapy for arteriosclerotic changes; prevention aims to slow progression and reduce complications.