Difference Between Atherosclerosis and Arteriosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a specific kind of arteriosclerosis. It is the buildup of plaque (fat, cholesterol, and other substances) in the artery walls, causing the arteries to narrow. As a result, the flow of oxygenated blood to the vital organs gets blocked. The plaque can also sometimes burst, leading to a blood clot.

Although atherosclerosis is generally considered a heart problem, the condition can affect arteries anywhere in your body. Atherosclerosis occurs slowly and over time. The stages of atherosclerosis include:

1. Endothelial damage: Atherosclerosis begins with damage to the endothelial cells (covering the inner layer of the artery wall). Factors such as high cholesterol levels and tobacco products can cause endothelial damage. The damage causes white blood cells to reach the injury site. The cells gather, leading to inflammation within the artery. 
2. Fatty streak formation: This is the first visible sign of atherosclerosis in which a yellow streak is formed at the endothelial damage site. The yellow streak is formed from dead foam cells (white blood cells that consume cholesterol to eliminate them). 
3. Plaque growth: The dead foam cells build up in the artery, turning the fatty streak into a larger plaque. As the plaque gets bigger, it narrows the artery opening, leaving less room for blood flow. A fibrous cap develops over the plaque, preventing bits of plaque from breaking into the bloodstream.
4. Plaque rupture or erosion: Plaque rupture occurs when the fibrous cap covering the plaque breaks open. Plaque erosion happens when endothelial cells around the plaque get worn away. Both plaque rupture and erosion can lead to the development of a blood clot in the artery, blocking blood flow and causing a heart attack or stroke.

Atherosclerosis vs arteriosclerosis are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. While the diagnosis for both these conditions is more or less similar, the causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment may differ. The following is the difference between atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis in tabular form.

Parameters	Atherosclerosis	Arteriosclerosis
Meaning	The buildup of plaque in artery walls causes the arteries to narrow	The hardening or thickening of artery walls, restricting blood flow to organs and tissues
Scope	A type of arteriosclerosis	A broader term for a group of conditions
Type of deposits	Fatty deposits	Calcium deposits
Occurrence of symptoms	Mild atherosclerosis shows no symptoms. Symptoms are usually experienced in moderate to severe atherosclerosis.	It causes no symptoms, especially in the early stages.
Causes	Damage to endothelial cells	Damage to elastin fibres

Symptoms, Causes, and Risk Factors of Atherosclerosis vs Arteriosclerosis

Identifying atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis differences can be difficult since both conditions typically show no symptoms in their early stages. However, the causes of these conditions are pretty straightforward and different. The risk factors of atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis are generally different, but some may overlap. The following section will help better understand the difference between atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis based on their symptoms, causes, and risk factors.  

Symptoms

The symptoms of atherosclerosis usually do not show during the early stages. Symptoms are usually experienced when you are physically or emotionally stressed since the body requires more oxygen. When they do occur, symptoms of atherosclerosis depend on the affected arteries. Possible symptoms include:

1. Chest pain (angina)
2. Dizziness
3. Fatigue
4. Cold sweats
5. Rapid heart rate
6. Shortness of breath
7. Weakness
8. Nausea
9. Numbness or weakness in leg muscles (due to lack of circulation)
10. Difficulty speaking or slurred speech
11. Confusion
12. Temporary vision loss in one eye
13. Drooping muscles in the face
14. Claudication (pain in legs or arms while walking or using the arm)
15. Cramping in buttocks while walking

Arteriosclerosis usually causes no symptoms, especially in the early stage. Even when the condition progresses to hypertension (high blood pressure), it shows no symptoms. 

Causes

Atherosclerosis is caused by damage to endothelial cells (cells that make the inner lining of an artery). When the endothelial cells are damaged, it leads to inflammation, causing plaque development. 

Arteriosclerosis is caused by oxidative damage to elastin fibres (proteins that make your artery walls flexible and elastic). The damage causes breakage of elastin fibres, lowering their structured arrangement. As a result, the artery walls become stiff and hard, leading to arteriosclerosis.

Risk Factors

The risk of atherosclerosis increases with the following factors:

1. Ageing
2. Gender (men are more prone than women)
3. Family history of atherosclerosis or heart disease
4. Smoking
5. Obesity
6. High intake of saturated fat
7. High blood pressure
8. High blood cholesterol
9. Diabetes

The primary risk factor of arteriosclerosis is age. As you age, the elastin fibres lose elasticity, making the arteries hard and stiff. The stiffness and hardness of arteries increase significantly after age 55.

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Complications of Atherosclerosis vs Arteriosclerosis

Atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis share the same foundation of science; therefore, doctors examine both conditions using the same tools. While the treatment for arteriosclerosis usually includes lifestyle changes and medications, treatment for atherosclerosis may also include surgical procedures. If left untreated, atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis can lead to further complications. 

Diagnosis

There is no difference between atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis based on their diagnosis. To diagnose atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis, the doctor will physically examine the signs of the disease, such as decreased blood pressure, weak pulse, and hardened arteries. Depending on the results of the physical exam, the doctor will order one or more of the following tests:

1. Blood tests: Used to check blood sugar and cholesterol levels, as they may increase the risk of atherosclerosis. You may also need a C-reactive protein (CRP) test to check for the protein that causes inflammation of the arteries. 
2. Electrocardiogram: ECG is a painless test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. The results can help determine reduced blood flow to the heart.   
3. Stress test: If you usually experience symptoms during exercise, your doctor may recommend a stress test. During the test, your heart will be monitored while riding a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill. 
4. Echocardiogram: The test uses sound waves to display blood flow through the heart. 
5. Doppler ultrasound: The doctor uses a special ultrasound device to measure blood flow at various points in your arms and legs. The results help analyse the speed of blood flow in the arteries. 
6. Cardiac catheterisation and angiogram: The doctor inserts a long, thin, flexible tube in a blood vessel in the groin or wrist to see if coronary arteries are narrowed or blocked. 
7. Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): The test compares the blood pressure in the ankle and the arm to check for atherosclerosis in the arteries of the legs and feet.
8. Heart scan: The test uses CT imaging to create detailed pictures of the heart and show calcium deposits in the artery walls. 
9. Other imaging tests: Tests such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) are used to detect the narrowing and hardening of large arteries. 

Treatment 

The doctor may prescribe medications or surgical procedures for the treatment of atherosclerosis.  

1. Medications: Different drugs are available to slow or reverse the effect of atherosclerosis. Depending on your health, the doctor may prescribe cholesterol-lowering drugs to slow, stop, or reverse the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries. The doctor may also prescribe aspirin to prevent blood clots and drugs to lower your blood pressure.   
2. Angioplasty and stent placement: The surgeon inserts a catheter into an artery with a balloon at the end. The balloon is inflated to open the blocked artery. Sometimes, a stent is placed in the artery to keep the artery open. 
3. Coronary artery bypass surgery: You may need bypass surgery if you have several narrowed heart arteries. The surgeon will take a healthy blood vessel from another body part and create a new path for the blood to flow through. 
4. Endarterectomy: The surgery removes plaque from the walls of the narrowed arteries.

Medications for treating arteriosclerosis include:

1. ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers: to lower blood pressure and heart’s workload
2. Calcium channel blockers: lowers blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels
3. Vasodilators: to open or widen blood vessels

Complications

If left untreated, atherosclerosis can lead to various complications. The complications of atherosclerosis depend on the arteries that are blocked or narrowed. These complications include:

1. Coronary artery disease: When arteries close to your heart get narrowed or blocked due to atherosclerosis, you may develop coronary artery disease. It may cause angina (chest pain), heart attack or heart failure. 
2. Peripheral artery disease: Atherosclerosis that narrows arteries in the arms and legs may cause peripheral artery disease (blood flow problems in the arms and legs). You may experience symptoms such as claudication, changes in skin colour, cool skin on the feet, sores that do not heal, etc. 
3. Carotid artery disease: When arteries close to your brain narrow, you may develop carotid artery disease. It can cause transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. 
4. Renal artery stenosis: Atherosclerosis can cause the narrowing of arteries leading to the kidneys. This can prevent enough oxygen-rich blood from reaching the kidneys, causing symptoms like oedema (swelling), headaches, unexplained weight loss, dry, itchy or numb skin, etc. 
5. Aneurysms: Atherosclerosis can also lead to aneurysms (an abnormal bulge in the wall of a blood vessel) anywhere in the body. If an aneurysm bursts, it can result in life-threatening bleeding inside the body.

Lifestyle changes are an important part of the treatment plan for atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. The same lifestyle changes that treat these conditions can also help prevent them. Lifestyle changes that support the health and function of your arteries include: 

1. Stay active: Exercise benefits both conditions, improving endothelial function, arterial elasticity, and inflammation. You should exercise for 90 to 150 minutes every week. 
2. Quit smoking: If you smoke, quitting cigarette smoking will help improve your arteries’ health and function. 
3. Limit alcohol intake: Limiting alcohol consumption can help treat or prevent atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. The maximum recommendation for alcohol is two and one drink daily for men and women, respectively. 
4. Eat heart-healthy food: Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, monosaturated fats, and fibres. Furthermore, a heart-healthy diet is low in salt and saturated fat. 
5. Manage stress: Practice stress management techniques like yoga and meditation to improve blood pressure and heart health. 
6. Get enough sleep: Sleep is vital for your overall physical health. Seven to nine hours of sleep are recommended every night. 
7. Take prescription medication: The doctor may prescribe medication if these conditions lead to high blood pressure or cholesterol levels.

Both atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis do not show symptoms until they cause other health problems. Therefore, you should visit your doctor for annual health exams, which will help them determine if you are at risk of developing these conditions. Furthermore, you should visit your doctor if you have not gotten your blood pressure and cholesterol checked in a long time. 

You should also see your provider if you have the following:

1. A family history of heart disease or atherosclerosis
2. Chest pain
3. Shortness of breath
4. Rapid heart rate
5. Dizziness
6. Cold sweats
7. Unexplained fatigue

While both conditions are often confused with each other, there is a difference between atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. Arteriosclerosis occurs when the arteries become stiff due to elastin fibres losing elasticity. Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis that occurs when the arteries narrow due to plaque buildup. Both conditions do not show any symptoms until they develop into serious conditions. Therefore, it is best to prevent them by implementing lifestyle changes and visiting the doctor regularly. 

If you experience the symptoms or have a family history of heart disease, consult the experts at HexaHealth to get an accurate diagnosis of your condition. We will help you manage your condition by suggesting the necessary lifestyle changes and working with you closely every step of the way. Furthermore, we will help you connect with the best doctors and surgeons near you if further treatment is required. To know more about atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis difference, contact a HexaHealth expert TODAY!

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