Atherosclerosis is also known as which condition?

• A. Chronic venous insufficiency
• B. Deep venous thrombosis
• C. Peripheral arterial Disease (PAD)
• D. Venous thromboembolism

Answer: (C)

Atherosclerosis is an arterial disease where plaques build up inside arterial walls, narrowing and stiffening them. When this process affects the arteries of the limbs, it causes peripheral arterial disease, which is the term that directly reflects arterial plaque buildup in the periphery. The other terms describe venous problems or venous clots, not arterial plaque—chronic venous insufficiency involves venous valve failure and poor venous return, deep venous thrombosis is a clot in a deep vein, and venous thromboembolism refers to clots in the venous system that can travel to the lungs. So the condition most accurately labeled as atherosclerosis in the context of the peripheral arteries is peripheral arterial disease.