Can you unclog and reduce plaque in arteries? (2024)

You may be able to reverse clogged arteries through diet, physical activity, and stress management. Lifestyle changes and medications can also reduce plaque buildup.

Arteries are an important part of your circulatory system.

These tubes transport oxygen-rich blood throughout your body and help fuel all body functions. When the blood vessels are clear and open, blood can flow freely.

But plaques of cholesterol, fat, and other substances can sometimes build up in your arteries. This condition is known asatherosclerosiswhich can gradually narrow your blood vessels.

Treatment will depend on the severity and location of plaque buildup. The authors of A2020 reviewKeep in mind that reversing atherosclerosis involves addressing all major risk factors, including:

• Reducehoge cholesterol
• Reducehigh bloodpressure
• stopsmokingif you smoke

Diet (eating plan), physical activity, and stress management can also help you "unblock" your blood vessels. However, bypass surgery may be necessary to prevent complications.

Keep reading to learn more about what you can do to clear your arteries.

A vegetable,heart healthy dietcan help treat plaque and prevent the formation of others.

Research from 2019indicates that low fat content,plant based diet plancan effectively reverse coronary artery disease. This condition is a common complication associated with the blockagearteries.

Inpossible optionisDietary Action to Stop Hypertension (DASH)meal plan. This diet emphasizes vegetables, fruits and whole grains while limiting or avoiding saturated fat, sugar and salt.

Here are some foods you should consider includingyour diet planand others who are considering limiting or avoiding it to prevent artery blockage or to help unclog your arteries.

The DASH diet recommends lean meats, fish, poultry and low-fat dairy products. Eggs contain a lot of dietary cholesterol, butresearch is very inconsistentwhether they are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Ofagreementis that a healthy diet is more important than eliminating certain foods from your diet plan.

According toNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)the risk of developing atherosclerosis increases in men after the age of 45 and in women after the age of 55.

That said, plaque can start to build up in your arteries20s and 30s, according to the British Heart Foundation.

By authors van AResearch evaluation 2019Also explain that having high cholesterol as a young adult increases the risk of developingcardiovascular diseaselater in life.

In addition to following a heart-healthy diet plan, here are some additional tips that can help you unclog your arteries and prevent plaque buildup.

Move more

Staying physically active, such as regular exercise, can improve your cardiovascular health and help prevent heart problems.

Build up your routine and endurance slowly and make staying physically active part of your weekly routine. Aim for at least150-300 minutesmoderate physical activity, 75-150 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both.

Walking is a great way to get moving.

OfCenters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)also recommend practicingmuscle strengthening activitieswhich focuses on all muscle groups two days a week. These may includeyogaand activities with:

• trainingsband
• weight machines
• portable scale

It's important to talk to a doctor before starting a new activity, such as an exercise routine. They can help you develop the best physical activity plan, including intensity level. It's important to note that some forms of exercise may be physically unsafe if you have certain chronic conditions.

Manage cholesterol levels

Reduces yourlavdensietslipoproteïne (LDL)and increase yourhigh-density lipoprotein (HDL)levels can also help reduce plaque buildup in your arteries.

When you have high levels of LDL (or "bad" cholesterol), the excess cholesterol flows through your body and can stick to the artery walls. HDL (the 'good' cholesterol) removes LDL deposits and stops plaque formation.

A doctor can prescribe itmedicineto help lower your LDL cholesterol and prevent plaques.

The researchers in a2020 surveynoted stabilization of existing plaques in people with atherosclerosis and stable angina within 30 days of taking medications for high cholesterol. Plaque shrinkage was observed 1-2 years later.

Maintain a moderate weight

Following a heart-healthy diet plan and staying physically active can help you lose weight if that is your goal and maintain a moderate weight. Failure to maintain a moderate weight can lead to diabetesincreasein your LDL cholesterol, which can increase your risk of plaque buildup.

If you are overweight or obese, you should reduce your body weight3-5%can provide health benefits. For example, it can help lower your cholesterol levels.

Stop smoking and reduce alcohol intake

Smokingcontributesfor the development of atherosclerosis. This makes it more likely that plaques will form and increases their overall growth rate. Smoking tooto influenceaorta, the main artery in your body.

If you smoke, so will your health on the day you quitimmediately positively affected. For example,quit smokingcan help increase your HDL levels. Contact a doctor if you need help quitting smoking. They can recommend smoking cessation programs and other support resources.

OfThe CDC offers a hotlineto quit smoking at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Drinks too muchalcoholcan also affect the heart. If you drink alcoholNHLBIrecommends limiting alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

Alcohol can also affect your diabetescholesterol niveau.

Deal with stress

Your mental and emotional health can directly impact your physical health and overall well-being. It is important to identify and manage stress as best as possible. You may want to consider taking time to relax every day or seek the help of a therapist if you need help dealing with issues you may face every day.

Take prescribed medications

If lifestyle changes alone don't produce the desired results to help unclog your arteries, consider talking to a doctor. They can prescribe medications to lower your LDL cholesterol and prevent plaques.

These medications are designed to be used in combination with other heart-healthy measures, such as following a heart-healthy eating plan and staying physically active.

Statin medicationareacommon opportunity. Doctors prescribe them to adults at higher risk of developing a stroke or coronary artery disease. Other cholesterol-lowering medications may include:

• PCSK9 inhibitorssuch as evolocumab (Repatha) of alirocumab (Praluent)
• bempedosyre (Nexletol)
• of the time(Zetia)

Make sure you take your cholesterol medication as prescribed. It's important to follow a heart-healthy diet plan and exercise regularly, even if you're taking cholesterol-lowering medications.

If you have been diagnosed with an arterial blockage, now is the ideal time to consider measures to reverse plaque and prevent further buildup.

Some lifestyle changes can help prevent your condition from worsening. However, you may need medical intervention if one or more of your arteries is more severely clogged.

A doctorcan recommendsurgery to remove plaques or bypass the blockages, including:

• bypass service
• angioplastiek
• weight loss surgery
• surgery on the carotid artery
• percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) orstentreplacement

If you have clogged arteries, it is important to develop a treatment plan with a doctor. If blockages are left untreated, you may experience serious health complications,included:

• angina
• coronary artery disease
• coronary microvascular disease
• heart attack
• carotid artery disease
• slak
• peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• chronic kidney disease

What is the fastest way to clear your blood vessels?

There is no quick, easy way to unclog an artery once plaque has built up. But following a heart-healthy diet plan, staying physically active such as regular exercise, and quitting smoking (if you smoke) can help prevent blockages from getting worse.

In some cases, medication or surgery may be necessary.

What are the warning signs of clogged arteries?

Chest pain, also calledangina, is one of the most common symptoms of a blocked artery. Angina is described as a tight or heavy feeling centered on your chest. Pain can usually start in the area around your breastbone and radiate to your left arm or shoulder. It can also radiate to your jaw or upper back.

Angina pain from a blocked artery is usually felt when you exercise and usually goes away with rest. Other symptoms may include:

• dizziness
• it feels like your heart is pounding
• nausea or indigestion
• shortness of breath
• to sweat
• weakness

Can you reverse the buildup of plaque in your arteries?

After a heart-healthy diet,staying physically activeand quitting smoking (if you smoke) can help reduce plaque buildup and prevent blockages from getting worse. If lifestyle changes aren't enough, a doctor may prescribe medications, such as statins, to lower your LDL cholesterol and prevent plaque buildup.

Plaque buildup can clog your blood vessels. Although diet and lifestyle are major contributors to arterial blockages, your risk for atherosclerosis may also increase with age.

Eating a heart-healthy diet and staying physically active, such as exercising regularly, can help reduce plaques and prevent them from getting worse. These health-promoting lifestyle changes are also important if you are having a procedure to remove plaque or bypass a severely clogged artery.

If you have questions about clogged arteries, contact a healthcare professional.

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