arteriosclerosis
C2Formal, Medical/Scientific
Definition
Meaning
A medical condition characterized by the thickening, hardening, and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries.
Often used as a general term for several diseases in which arterial walls become thickened, stiff, and less elastic. It is commonly associated with ageing, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While often used interchangeably with 'atherosclerosis' in general discourse, in strict medical terminology, atherosclerosis (plaque buildup) is a specific type of arteriosclerosis (general hardening).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Pronunciation differs slightly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical connotations of a serious, chronic, age-related medical condition.
Frequency
Equally common in medical contexts in both regions. Rarely used in everyday conversation.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
suffer from arteriosclerosisbe diagnosed with arteriosclerosislead to arteriosclerosisarteriosclerosis of the [coronary/cerebral] arteriesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Hardening of the arteries (common non-technical equivalent idiom)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in pharmaceutical, insurance, or healthcare industry contexts discussing treatments, risks, or demographics.
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and public health research papers, textbooks, and lectures.
Everyday
Used rarely; 'hardening of the arteries' is more common. Discussed when explaining a relative's health condition.
Technical
Precise term in cardiology, pathology, and geriatric medicine, often qualified by type (e.g., Mönckeberg's arteriosclerosis).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The arteries were found to have arteriosclerosed, complicating the surgery.
American English
- The condition had arteriosclerosed his major coronary vessels.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The doctor said his grandfather had hardening of the arteries.
- Smoking can increase your risk of getting arteriosclerosis.
- The patient's arteriosclerosis was causing poor circulation in his legs.
- The research focused on the molecular mechanisms that initiate and exacerbate cerebral arteriosclerosis.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ARTERY' + 'SCLEROSIS' (hardening). It's the sclerosis (hardening) of the arteries.
Conceptual Metaphor
PIPES BECOMING CLOGGED AND BRITTLE. Arteries are conceptualized as water pipes that accumulate deposits and lose flexibility over time.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'склероз' which colloquially in Russian can refer to memory issues. In Russian medicine, 'артериосклероз' is the precise equivalent.
- Avoid translating it as generic 'склероз сосудов'; 'артериосклероз' is the correct term.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'arterioscleroses' (plural is rare).
- Confusing it with 'arthritis' or 'osteoporosis'.
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'an arteriosclerosis').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary pathological process in arteriosclerosis?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Arteriosclerosis is the underlying condition of hardened arteries. A heart attack (myocardial infarction) is an event often caused by a complication of arteriosclerosis (like a blocked coronary artery).
The process cannot be fully reversed, but its progression can be slowed or halted significantly through medication, diet, and exercise. Some plaque regression is possible.
Risk increases with age. Other major risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, and a family history of heart disease.
Arteriosclerosis is the umbrella term for arterial hardening. Atherosclerosis is the most common type, involving the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and plaque inside the artery walls.