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Illustrated Health Encyclopedia
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Ency. home > Disease > A > Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Arteriosclerosis; Hardening of the arteries

Symptoms

Atherosclerosis shows no symptoms until a complication occurs.

Signs and Tests

Atherosclerosis may not be diagnosed until complications occur. Prior to complications, atherosclerosis may be noted by the presence of a "bruit" (a whooshing or blowing sound heard over the artery with a stethoscope). The affected area may have a decreased pulse.

Tests that indicate atherosclerosis (or complications) include:

  • An abnormal difference between the blood pressure of the ankle and arm (ankle/brachial index, or ABI)
  • A Doppler study of the affected area
  • Ultrasonic Duplex scanning
  • A CT scan of the affected area
  • Magnetic resonance arteriography (MRA)
  • An arteriography of the affected area
  • An intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) of the affected vessels

Ency. home > Disease > A > Atherosclerosis

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