Etymed
atherosclerosis
Definition
Hardening of the arteries
Clinical context
A 65-year-old male presents with chest pain that worsens with exertion and improves with rest. On examination, he has diminished pulses in his lower extremities. An arteriogram reveals significant stenosis of the femoral and popliteal arteries. His lipid panel shows elevated LDL cholesterol levels. This patient's symptoms are consistent with peripheral arterial disease secondary to atherosclerotic plaque formation in his arterial walls.
Mnemonic
ATH-EROSclerosis = Arteries THICKEN from fatty deposits