2025 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code I70

Atherosclerosis

ICD-10-CM Code:
I70
ICD-10 Code for:
Atherosclerosis
Is Billable?
Not Valid for Submission
Code Navigator:

I70 is a non-specific and non-billable diagnosis code code, consider using a code with a higher level of specificity for a diagnosis of atherosclerosis. The code is not specific and is NOT valid for the year 2025 for the submission of HIPAA-covered transactions. Category or Header define the heading of a category of codes that may be further subdivided by the use of 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th characters.

Specific Coding Applicable to Atherosclerosis

Non-specific codes like I70 require more digits to indicate the appropriate level of specificity. Consider using any of the following ICD-10-CM codes with a higher level of specificity when coding for atherosclerosis:

  • Use I70.0 for Atherosclerosis of aorta - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I70.1 for Atherosclerosis of renal artery - BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.2 for Atherosclerosis of native arteries of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.20 for Unspecified atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.21 for Atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities with intermittent claudication - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.22 for Atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities with rest pain - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.23 for Atherosclerosis of native arteries of right leg with ulceration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.24 for Atherosclerosis of native arteries of left leg with ulceration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I70.25 for Atherosclerosis of native arteries of other extremities with ulceration - BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.26 for Atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities with gangrene - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.29 for Other atherosclerosis of native arteries of extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.3 for Atherosclerosis of unspecified type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.30 for Unspecified atherosclerosis of unspecified type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.31 for Atherosclerosis of unspecified type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities with intermittent claudication - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.32 for Atherosclerosis of unspecified type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities with rest pain - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.33 for Atherosclerosis of unspecified type of bypass graft(s) of the right leg with ulceration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.34 for Atherosclerosis of unspecified type of bypass graft(s) of the left leg with ulceration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I70.35 for Atherosclerosis of unspecified type of bypass graft(s) of other extremity with ulceration - BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.36 for Atherosclerosis of unspecified type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities with gangrene - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.39 for Other atherosclerosis of unspecified type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.4 for Atherosclerosis of autologous vein bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.40 for Unspecified atherosclerosis of autologous vein bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.41 for Atherosclerosis of autologous vein bypass graft(s) of the extremities with intermittent claudication - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.42 for Atherosclerosis of autologous vein bypass graft(s) of the extremities with rest pain - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.43 for Atherosclerosis of autologous vein bypass graft(s) of the right leg with ulceration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.44 for Atherosclerosis of autologous vein bypass graft(s) of the left leg with ulceration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I70.45 for Atherosclerosis of autologous vein bypass graft(s) of other extremity with ulceration - BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.46 for Atherosclerosis of autologous vein bypass graft(s) of the extremities with gangrene - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.49 for Other atherosclerosis of autologous vein bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.5 for Atherosclerosis of nonautologous biological bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.50 for Unspecified atherosclerosis of nonautologous biological bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.51 for Atherosclerosis of nonautologous biological bypass graft(s) of the extremities intermittent claudication - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.52 for Atherosclerosis of nonautologous biological bypass graft(s) of the extremities with rest pain - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.53 for Atherosclerosis of nonautologous biological bypass graft(s) of the right leg with ulceration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.54 for Atherosclerosis of nonautologous biological bypass graft(s) of the left leg with ulceration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I70.55 for Atherosclerosis of nonautologous biological bypass graft(s) of other extremity with ulceration - BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.56 for Atherosclerosis of nonautologous biological bypass graft(s) of the extremities with gangrene - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.59 for Other atherosclerosis of nonautologous biological bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.6 for Atherosclerosis of nonbiological bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.60 for Unspecified atherosclerosis of nonbiological bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.61 for Atherosclerosis of nonbiological bypass graft(s) of the extremities with intermittent claudication - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.62 for Atherosclerosis of nonbiological bypass graft(s) of the extremities with rest pain - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.63 for Atherosclerosis of nonbiological bypass graft(s) of the right leg with ulceration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.64 for Atherosclerosis of nonbiological bypass graft(s) of the left leg with ulceration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I70.65 for Atherosclerosis of nonbiological bypass graft(s) of other extremity with ulceration - BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.66 for Atherosclerosis of nonbiological bypass graft(s) of the extremities with gangrene - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.69 for Other atherosclerosis of nonbiological bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.7 for Atherosclerosis of other type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.70 for Unspecified atherosclerosis of other type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.71 for Atherosclerosis of other type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities with intermittent claudication - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.72 for Atherosclerosis of other type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities with rest pain - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.73 for Atherosclerosis of other type of bypass graft(s) of the right leg with ulceration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.74 for Atherosclerosis of other type of bypass graft(s) of the left leg with ulceration - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I70.75 for Atherosclerosis of other type of bypass graft(s) of other extremity with ulceration - BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.76 for Atherosclerosis of other type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities with gangrene - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.79 for Other atherosclerosis of other type of bypass graft(s) of the extremities - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I70.8 for Atherosclerosis of other arteries - BILLABLE CODE

  • I70.9 for Other and unspecified atherosclerosis - NON-BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I70.90 for Unspecified atherosclerosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I70.91 for Generalized atherosclerosis - BILLABLE CODE

  • Use I70.92 for Chronic total occlusion of artery of the extremities - BILLABLE CODE

Code Classification

  • Diseases of the circulatory system
    I00–I99
    • Diseases of arteries, arterioles and capillaries
      I70-I79
      • Atherosclerosis
        I70

Clinical Information

  • Atherosclerosis

    a thickening and loss of elasticity of the walls of arteries that occurs with formation of atherosclerotic plaques within the arterial intima.
  • Coronary Artery Disease

    pathological processes of coronary arteries that may derive from a congenital abnormality, atherosclerotic, or non-atherosclerotic cause.
  • Intracranial Arteriosclerosis

    vascular diseases characterized by thickening and hardening of the walls of arteries inside the skull. there are three subtypes: (1) atherosclerosis with fatty deposits in the arterial intima; (2) monckeberg's sclerosis with calcium deposits in the media and (3) arteriolosclerosis involving the small caliber arteries. clinical signs include headache; confusion; transient blindness (amaurosis fugax); speech impairment; and hemiparesis.

Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries

The following annotation back-references are applicable to this diagnosis code. The Tabular List of Diseases and Injuries is a list of ICD-10-CM codes, organized "head to toe" into chapters and sections with coding notes and guidance for inclusions, exclusions, descriptions and more.


Includes

Includes
This note appears immediately under a three character code title to further define, or give examples of, the content of the category.
  • arteriolosclerosis
  • arterial degeneration
  • arteriosclerosis
  • arteriosclerotic vascular disease
  • arteriovascular degeneration
  • atheroma
  • endarteritis deformans or obliterans
  • senile arteritis
  • senile endarteritis
  • vascular degeneration

Use Additional Code

Use Additional Code
The “use additional code” indicates that a secondary code could be used to further specify the patient’s condition. This note is not mandatory and is only used if enough information is available to assign an additional code.
  • code to identify:
  • exposure to environmental tobacco smoke Z77.22
  • history of tobacco dependence Z87.891
  • occupational exposure to environmental tobacco smoke Z57.31
  • tobacco dependence F17
  • tobacco use Z72.0

Type 2 Excludes

Type 2 Excludes
A type 2 excludes note represents "Not included here". An excludes2 note indicates that the condition excluded is not part of the condition represented by the code, but a patient may have both conditions at the same time. When an Excludes2 note appears under a code, it is acceptable to use both the code and the excluded code together, when appropriate.
  • arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease I25.1
  • arteriosclerotic heart disease I25.1
  • atheroembolism I75
  • cerebral atherosclerosis I67.2
  • coronary atherosclerosis I25.1
  • mesenteric atherosclerosis K55.1
  • precerebral atherosclerosis I67.2
  • primary pulmonary atherosclerosis I27.0

Patient Education


Atherosclerosis

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque builds up inside your arteries. Plaque is a sticky substance made up of cholesterol, fat, blood cells, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. Over time, plaque hardens and causes your arteries to narrow. That limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your body.

Some people may confuse atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis, but they are not the same thing:

  • Arteriosclerosis is hardening of the arteries, which means that the arteries thicken and become less flexible. It can have several different causes.
  • Atherosclerosis, which develops from plaque buildup, is a common type of arteriosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis can affect most of the arteries in the body. It has different names, based on which arteries are affected:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD) is plaque buildup in the arteries of your heart.
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is plaque buildup in the arteries that carry blood away from the heart to other parts of the body. It most often affects the arteries of your legs, but it can also affect the arteries of your arms or pelvis.
  • Carotid artery disease is plaque buildup in the neck arteries. It reduces blood flow to the brain.
  • Renal artery stenosis is plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to your kidneys.
  • Vertebral artery disease is plaque buildup in the arteries that supply blood to the back of your brain.
  • Mesenteric artery ischemia is plaque buildup in the arteries that supply your intestines with blood.

What causes atherosclerosis?

Plaque often starts to build up during childhood and gets worse with age. The exact cause is unknown, but researchers believe that this buildup happens when there is damage to the arteries. This damage may be caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits, medical conditions, and your genes.

Who is more likely to develop atherosclerosis?

You may be more likely to develop atherosclerosis if you:

  • Have certain medical conditions, including:
    • High blood pressure
    • High blood cholesterol
    • Diabetes
    • Metabolic syndrome
    • Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis
  • Have a family history of high blood cholesterol
  • Eat a lot of foods high in saturated fats
  • Smoke or chew tobacco
  • Are older - the risk increases after age 45 men and age 55 in women

What are the symptoms of atherosclerosis?

In the early stages, atherosclerosis often does not cause any symptoms. You may first notice some symptoms at times when your body needs more oxygen. For example, this could be when you are having physical or emotional stress.

Your symptoms will depend on which arteries are affected and how much blood flow is blocked:

  • With coronary artery disease, the symptoms may include angina (a type of chest pain), palpitations (racing or pounding heart), and shortness of breath.
  • With carotid artery disease, you may have a bruit. This is a whooshing sound that your health care provider hears when using a stethoscope. You could also have a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini-stroke.
  • With peripheral artery disease, you may have pain, aching, heaviness, or cramping in the legs when walking or climbing stairs.
  • With vertebral artery disease, you may have problems with thinking and memory, weakness or numbness on one side of the body or face, and vision trouble. You could also have a transient ischemic attack.
  • With mesenteric artery ischemia, the symptoms can include severe pain after meals, weight loss, and diarrhea.

For men, erectile dysfunction (ED) is an early warning sign that you may be at higher risk for atherosclerosis and its complications. If you have ED, talk with your provider about your risk of plaque buildup.

What other problems can atherosclerosis cause?

Atherosclerosis can cause other health problems, or complications. For example, if a plaque bursts, a blood clot may form. The clot could block the artery completely or travel to another part of the body. Other possible complications can vary, depending on which arteries are affected. For example, blockages in different parts of the body can lead to complications such as a heart attack, stroke, vascular dementia, or limb loss.

How is atherosclerosis diagnosed?

To find out if you have atherosclerosis, your provider:

  • Will ask about your medical and family health history
  • Will ask about your lifestyle and risk factors for plaque buildup in the arteries
  • Will do a physical exam, which will include listening to your heart and the blood flow in your arteries
  • Will likely order tests, such as blood tests and heart health tests

What are the treatments for atherosclerosis?

If you have atherosclerosis, your provider will work with you to create a treatment plan that works for you. Your plan will depend on which arteries are affected, how much the blood flow is blocked, and what other medical conditions you have. Possible treatments may include:

  • Heart-healthy lifestyle changes.
  • Medicines to:
    • Manage your risk factors.
    • Treat atherosclerosis or its complications.
    • Treat any medical conditions you have that can worsen plaque buildup.
  • Procedures or surgeries to treat diseases or complications that were caused by plaque buildup. The specific type of procedure or surgery will depend on which arteries are affected.
  • Cardiac rehabilitation, if you have had certain complications from atherosclerosis.

Can atherosclerosis be prevented?

There are steps you can take to try to prevent atherosclerosis:

  • Choose heart-healthy foods, such fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Limit foods that are high in saturated fats, salt, and added sugars.
  • Do regular physical activity. But before you start an exercise program, ask your provider what level of physical activity is right for you.
  • Aim for a healthy weight.
  • Limit how much alcohol you drink. Drinking less is better for health than drinking more. Men should limit their intake to 2 drinks or less in a day. Women should drink 1 drink or less per day.
  • Manage stress.
  • If you smoke, quit smoking.
  • Avoid secondhand smoke.
  • Get enough good-quality sleep.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute


[Learn More in MedlinePlus]

Code History

  • FY 2024 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2023 through 9/30/2024
  • FY 2023 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2022 through 9/30/2023
  • FY 2022 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2021 through 9/30/2022
  • FY 2021 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2020 through 9/30/2021
  • FY 2020 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2019 through 9/30/2020
  • FY 2019 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2018 through 9/30/2019
  • FY 2018 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2017 through 9/30/2018
  • FY 2017 - No Change, effective from 10/1/2016 through 9/30/2017
  • FY 2016 - New Code, effective from 10/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. This was the first year ICD-10-CM was implemented into the HIPAA code set.