DefinitionAtherosclerosis is a condition in which fatty material collects along the walls of arteries. This fatty material thickens, hardens (forms calcium deposits), and may eventually block the arteries.Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis. The two terms are often used to mean the same thing.Alternative NamesArteriosclerosis; Hardening of the arteries; Plaque buildup - arteriesCauses, incidence, and risk factorsAtherosclerosis is a common disorder that specifically affects the medium and large arteries. It occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries and form hard structures called plaques.Eventually, the plaques can make the artery narrow and less flexible, making it harder for blood to flow. If the coronary arteries become narrow, blood