Atherosclerosis Treatment with Aortic Heart Surgery Atherosclerosis, a specific form of arteriosclerosis or Hardening of the Arteries, primarily affects the heart arteries by hardening and narrowing them, thereby disrupting normal blood flow. This is a common cardiac condition characterized by the formation of plaque- the build-up of cholesterol, fats, and other substances in and on the walls of the arteries. If ignored or if burst, a blood clot...