Arteriosclerosis and Atherosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body (arteries) become thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic, but over time, the walls in your arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis, but the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Atherosclerosis refers to the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on your artery walls (plaques), which can restrict blood flow.

These plaques can burst, triggering a blood clot. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in your body. Atherosclerosis usually is preventable and is treatable.

Know more:
http://www.heart.org
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/basics/symptoms/con-20026972

Animation depicting the buildup of plaque in an artery. The layers of the vertical artery section begin peeling away before the artery transitions to horizontal. Cholesterol then starts building up on the arterial wall. 

Source: Arteriosclerosis and Atherosclerosis – Scents of Science (myfusimotors.com)