Hardening of the arteries, also known as arteriosclerosis or sclerotic vascular disease, is a condition in which the walls of the arteries become thickened and hardened due to the buildup of plaque. This buildup of plaque can cause the arteries to narrow, reducing blood flow and increasing the risk of stroke, heart attack, and other cardiovascular diseases. Arteriosclerosis is the medical term for hardening of the arteries, while sclerosis is the more general term for any hardening of tissue.