Arteriosclerosis, often described as a thickening and hardening of the arteries, appears in various forms and can be related to a number of different causes. Hyperplastic arteriosclerosis is characterized by a pattern of thickening commonly likened to an onion skin, concentric laminations of smooth muscle cells and basement membranes being deposited one on top of the other in layers.

As more and more layers are added, the lumenal space of the affected artery is progressively narrowed. Sometimes this process is accompanied by deposits of the acellular material known as fibrinoid or by death of the walls of the vessel.

When arteriosclerosis affects the blood vessels of the kidneys, increased blood pressure, fluid retention, and even failure of the organs may occur. Hardening and thickening of the cerebral blood vessels can cause strokes, and if the arteries of the heart are affected, myocardial infarction may occur. On the other hand, lameness and ulceration may develop if the peripheral arteries of the body experience arteriosclerosis. Such serious health problems associated with the condition have made arteriosclerosis a key medical concern, and in recent years there have been significant efforts to make the general public more aware of its potential causes and risks.

A number of risks linked to the development of arteriosclerosis have been identified. The condition is often related to other diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, or scleroderma, which is characterized by abnormal deposits of collagen. Diet is also thought to be a major factor in arteriosclerosis, especially since the most common variety of this condition, called atherosclerosis, involves the deposition plaques composed of fatty materials. Other risk factors include a genetic predisposition for the disease and old age.

Hyperplastic Arteriosclerosis at 20x Magnification - Hyperplastic arteriosclerosis is often linked to malignant hypertension and frequently affects blood vessels of the kidneys, though it can occur anywhere.

Hyperplastic Arteriosclerosis at 40x Magnification - Blood flow can be seriously hindered by arteriosclerosis, which can result in a wide variety of consequences.

Hyperplastic Arteriosclerosis at 10x Magnification - Maintaining a low-cholesterol and low-fat diet is often hailed as a good way to lower one’s chances of developing hardened, thickened arteries.

Hyperplastic Arteriosclerosis at 20x Magnification - Avoiding cigarettes is another way to significantly reduce risk of arteriosclerosis, since smoking is widely acknowledged as a key contributor to onset of the disease.