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Atherosclerosis is commonly known as "hardening of the arteries." It is a process that occurs over time. During atherosclerosis, fat and calcium build up in the inner walls of the arteries. This build up is called plaque. Over time, the plaque narrows the inside of the artery, making it difficult or impossible for blood to pass through.
Atherosclerosis is started when the artery walls are damaged by high blood pressure, smoking, a high intake of cholesterol, or other risk factors. As the process continues, it can cause other problems, such as stroke, coronary artery disease, angina, heart attack, or arrhythmia.
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