Atherosclerosis, commonly known as hardening of the arteries, is a progressive condition that develops when arterial plaques are not detected and managed early. This disease is characterized by the formation and gradual hardening of atherosclerotic plaques within the walls of arteries. Over time, these plaques accumulate, causing the arterial walls to thicken and narrow, which can eventually lead to blockages. Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease that progresses slowly and often asymptomatically. Key contributing factors include advanced age, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and smoking. These factors can promote cholesterol accumulation in the endothelial cells lining the arteries. Other significant risk factors involve genetic predispositions, overweight and obesity, metabolic syndrome (which includes diabetes), unhealthy dietary habits—particularly diets rich in calories and fat—lack of physical activity, and chronic stress.