'arteriopathy' originates from Greek and New Latin elements: 'arteria' (from Greek arteria, 'artery') combined with Greek 'pathos' meaning 'suffering' or 'disease'.

'arteriopathy' was formed in modern medical English/Latin by combining the combining-form 'arterio-' (relating to arteries) with the suffix '-pathy' (from Greek 'pathos'), producing the term used in contemporary medicine.

Initially it referred specifically to disease processes of arteries; over time it has retained that core meaning and is used broadly for various arterial diseases or pathological changes in arteries.