Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis, generic term for disease of the arteries in which their walls become thickened and rigid, and blood flow is hindered, often resulting in heart disease or stroke. The most common form of arteriosclerosis is atherosclerosis, in which fatty deposits accumulate on the artery walls, which then tend to harden. Research indicates that there probably is a connection between atherosclerosis and a bacterium (Chlamydia pneumoniae). This bacterium allegedly accelerates the accumulation of fat in the artery and might be responsible for the development of small wounds in the artery walls.

See also: Artery.