RCIS Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Exam Prep

Atherosclerosis is a condition that involves the build-up of plaque, consisting of fats, cholesterol, and other substances, on the walls of arteries. This accumulation narrows the arteries, reducing blood flow and leading to various cardiovascular problems. Over time, the plaque can harden or rupture, potentially causing blood clots that can result in heart attacks or strokes.

Understanding atherosclerosis is crucial as it represents a fundamental pathology in cardiovascular disease and is a significant risk factor for conditions like coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis not only affects the coronary arteries but can also impact other major arteries throughout the body, highlighting its systemic nature.

The other options, while related to cardiovascular health, refer to different conditions: hypertension involves high blood pressure but does not specifically denote plaque build-up; an aneurysm is a localized enlargement of an artery due to weakness in the wall but not directly caused by plaque accumulation; and coronary artery disease refers specifically to heart disease resulting from the narrowing of coronary arteries often due to atherosclerosis but is not the condition characterized by plaque build-up itself.