atherosclerosis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Medical
Quick answer
What does “atherosclerosis” mean?
A disease in which plaque builds up inside arteries, causing them to harden and narrow.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A disease in which plaque builds up inside arteries, causing them to harden and narrow.
A chronic, progressive condition characterized by the accumulation of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls, leading to reduced blood flow and increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular events.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Identical medical/clinical connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and technical in both UK and US English, used primarily in medical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “atherosclerosis” in a Sentence
Patient + has + atherosclerosisAtherosclerosis + affects + artery/organAtherosclerosis + leads to/causes + conditionVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “atherosclerosis” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The arteries began to atherosclerose over decades.
- Smoking can cause vessels to atherosclerose prematurely.
American English
- The patient's arteries atherosclerosed rapidly.
- High cholesterol contributes to atherosclerosing the coronary arteries.
adverb
British English
- The disease progressed atherosclerotically.
- The vessels hardened atherosclerotically over time.
American English
- The plaque developed atherosclerotically.
- The arteries were atherosclerotically occluded.
adjective
British English
- The atherosclerotic plaque was heavily calcified.
- He had significant atherosclerotic disease in his legs.
American English
- The scan revealed atherosclerotic narrowing.
- Atherosclerotic changes were evident in the aorta.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in pharmaceutical, insurance, or healthcare business contexts discussing disease burden or drug development.
Academic
Common in medical, biological, and public health research papers, textbooks, and lectures.
Everyday
Very rare. Laypeople might use 'hardening of the arteries' or 'clogged arteries' instead.
Technical
The primary context. Used precisely by doctors, researchers, and healthcare professionals.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “atherosclerosis”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “atherosclerosis”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “atherosclerosis”
- Misspelling as 'atherosclorosis' or 'arteriosclerosis' (the latter is a broader term).
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'an atherosclerosis' – it's usually uncountable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Atherosclerosis is the underlying disease process that causes arteries to narrow. A heart attack (myocardial infarction) is an acute event that can occur if a plaque in a coronary artery ruptures and causes a complete blockage.
While advanced plaques are difficult to fully reverse, the progression of atherosclerosis can be halted or slowed significantly through lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, quitting smoking) and medications like statins. Some regression of plaque may be possible.
Key risk factors include high LDL ('bad') cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, and a family history of early heart disease.
It most commonly affects the arteries supplying the heart (coronary arteries), brain (carotid and cerebral arteries), legs (peripheral arteries), and the main artery from the heart (aorta).
A disease in which plaque builds up inside arteries, causing them to harden and narrow.
Atherosclerosis is usually technical/medical in register.
Atherosclerosis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌæθərəʊskləˈrəʊsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌæθəroʊskləˈroʊsɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms exist for this technical term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ATHERO' (like atheroma, a fatty deposit) + 'SCLEROSIS' (hardening). A fatty hardening of the arteries.
Conceptual Metaphor
PIPES CLOGGING WITH GREASE (arteries as pipes, plaque as grease/cholesterol deposits).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary pathological process in atherosclerosis?