Health Tip: Hardening of the Arteries

(HealthDay News) -- Hardening of the arteries -- medically called atherosclerosis -- occurs when a combination of fat, cholesterol and calcium sticks to the inside of the vessels that carry blood to your heart. This causes the arteries to clog and harden.

The U.S. National Heart Lung and Blood Institute says atherosclerosis can lead to:

• Stroke.
• Heart attack.
• Carotid artery disease.
• Coronary heart disease.
• Peripheral arterial disease.