What condition is characterized by the deposition of plaque in the inner walls of blood vessels?

Atherosclerosis is characterized by the build-up of plaque within the inner walls of arteries. This plaque is primarily composed of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, and other components, which accumulate and lead to narrowing and hardening of the arteries. Over time, this condition can impede blood flow, increase blood pressure, and elevate the risk of serious cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

In understanding the context of related conditions, hypertension is primarily defined by consistently high blood pressure, which may develop as a complication of atherosclerosis but does not itself involve plaque deposition. Thrombosis refers to the formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel, which can occur in the presence of atherosclerosis but is not characterized by plaque deposition. Varicose veins arise from weakened valves in the veins, primarily affecting blood flow in the venous system, rather than the arterial plaque build-up seen in atherosclerosis.