Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis

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Risk factors

By Mayo Clinic staff

Hardening of the arteries occurs over time. In addition to simply getting older, factors that increase the risk of atherosclerosis include:

  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Diabetes
  • Obesity
  • Smoking
  • A family history of aneurysm or early heart disease

DS00525

June 28, 2008

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