Certified Travel Counselor Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Prep Guide

The condition characterized by the hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque accumulation is arteriosclerosis. This process involves the buildup of fatty deposits, cholesterol, and other substances in arterial walls, leading to reduced blood flow. Over time, the arteries lose their elasticity and can become more rigid, which significantly impacts cardiovascular health.

Myocardial infarction refers to a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, often due to the rupture of a plaque in the coronary arteries, but it is a result of arteriosclerosis rather than a description of the condition itself. Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a condition of elevated force of blood against artery walls, and while it can be caused by arteriosclerosis, it does not specifically describe the plaque buildup. Ischemia relates to reduced blood supply to a tissue, often due to narrowed or blocked arteries, which can be a consequence of arteriosclerosis. Therefore, arteriosclerosis directly identifies the hardening and narrowing of arteries as a primary condition.