What is a tortuous artery?

According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, tortuous arteries are blood vessels that twist and turn throughout the circulatory system. Patients with tortuous arteries may also have tortuous veins.

Tortuous arteries and veins are a common occurrence in both animals and humans, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. If a patient has severe tortuosity, then he may experience health issues, such as an ischemic attack in his distal organs. Tortuous arteries are most commonly linked to aging, plaque buildup in the arteries, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or genetic defects. These types of arteries can develop overtime and are asymptomatic in some patients.