Causes
Various factors can contribute to arteriosclerosis, although the exact cause is unidentified. Atherosclerosis can develop with injury or damage to the inner layer of an artery. The causes of this damage include;
- High cholesterol
- Insulin resistance or diabetes [3]
- Obesity
- Smoking or the use of tobacco products
- Inflammation from an unknown cause or existing diseases like lupus, psoriasis, or arthritis.
- High triglycerides
The damaging of the inner walls of the artery enhances blood cells and other substances to clump at the injury site and build up in the inner lining of the artery. As time goes on, fatty deposits, made of cholesterol and other cellular products also build up at the injury site and become stiff, thereby narrowing the artery.