Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Arteriosclerosis refers to the thickening and hardening of the arterial walls, which can result in reduced elasticity and narrowed lumen of the arteries. This condition is often associated with aging and can be exacerbated by factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes. The thickening of the arterial walls leads to increased resistance against blood flow, which can raise blood pressure and contribute to cardiovascular diseases. Over time, these changes can result in complications such as heart attacks and strokes due to decreased blood flow to organs and tissues.

In contrast, blockage of lymphatic vessels is related to a different set of issues involving the lymphatic system, not the arteries themselves. Thinning of arterial walls, on the other hand, is associated with other conditions but not arteriosclerosis. Hardening of the heart muscle usually refers to cardiomyopathy or other heart-related diseases and is distinct from the changes seen in the arteries specifically in arteriosclerosis.