What term describes the hardening of the arteries due to a degenerative disease?

The term that describes the hardening of the arteries due to a degenerative disease is arteriosclerosis. This condition involves the thickening and loss of elasticity of arterial walls, which can lead to reduced blood flow and increase the risk of cardiovascular issues. Arteriosclerosis is a broad term that encompasses various types of arterial hardening, including atherosclerosis, which is a specific form characterized by the buildup of fatty plaques within the arteries.

Understanding this condition is crucial, as it plays a significant role in cardiovascular health, influencing factors like blood pressure and heart health. Conditions such as benign and malignant tumors are unrelated to the process of arterial hardening, as they refer specifically to tissue growths, either non-cancerous or cancerous, and do not pertain to the degenerative change of arterial walls.