Taking part in cardiovascular exercise, otherwise known as cardio, on a regular basis may also help strengthen the heart and reduce plaque. A person should aim to do 30 to 60 minutes of exercise that raises the heart rate for a good workout.
A doctor may recommend a specific exercise routine to fit an individual, based on various lifestyle factor. Stop smoking. According to the AHA, smoking is a major risk factor. It directly damages the arteries and can make fatty deposits grow faster and become larger. Stress reduction. Psychological stress levels may also cause a reaction in the body. Stress-reduction techniques, including yoga , meditation, or breathing exercises may help some people relax during a hectic day.
When prevention methods are not effective, a person may need medical intervention to try and alleviate the effects of clogged arteries. A doctor may recommend medications to lower LDL cholesterol to use alongside dietary changes. These actions should be seen as an additional help rather than as solutions. Similarly, a blocked artery may require surgical treatment. This could involve inserting a tube into the artery to remove the plaque while leaving behind a stent to support the artery walls and increase blood flow.
With severe blockages, doctors may perform surgery called a heart bypass to make sure the blood can get around the obstructed artery. Below is a 3-D model of atherosclerosis, which is fully interactive. You can explore this model using your mouse pad or touchscreen.
When someone employs the tips listed above, they will be taking a step in the right direction. If they are worried about their risk factors, they should speak with their doctor. The process usually speeds up after the age of Typically, it does not become a problem until a person is in their 50s or 60s. Removing plaque from the arteries is not a simple process. Taking steps to prevent or slow down the formation of plaque is the best way to avoid clogged arteries at any stage in life.
This will be especially helpful for a person who is at risk of a plaque buildup or atherosclerosis. Here, learn to recognize a heart attack and what to do next. We also describe treatment and recovery and provide tips for prevention.
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Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights. Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. Arteries are vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to every other part of your body. In the best-case scenario. For many people, this ideal does not last long. Blockages in the arteries of the heart get the most attention since they can cause heart attacks.
However, arterial blockages can strike anywhere. The symptoms of clogged arteries depend on where the blockage occurs and which body part is affected. Clogged arteries are caused by atherosclerosis, which develops over time as plaques formed from fats, minerals, cholesterol , and more build up inside the walls of your arteries. These buildups cause the inner tunnels, called lumens, of the arteries to become smaller and narrower.
As a result, the heart has to use more pressure to pump blood through smaller vessels. This increases blood pressure and puts strain on the pumping ability of the heart. You may also notice that different parts of your body begin to suffer from a reduced supply of oxygenated blood, especially if the artery becomes completely clogged. Your symptoms depend on where the blockage occurs and what part of your body receives a reduced blood supply. Symptoms of blocked or clogged arteries can include:.
In some cases, a clogged artery can cause serious symptoms and require emergency care. This primarily applies when the clogged artery is one that is supplying blood to a vital organ like the brain or heart. Symptoms that can signal a medical emergency include:. Call or seek emergency medical care immediately if you or someone you are with has any of these symptoms.
Clogged arteries are caused by a buildup of plaque in your arteries. Plaque is usually made up of a few substances, including minerals like calcium, or fats and cholesterol. High cholesterol levels can lead to this buildup of plaques. In some cases, high cholesterol is genetic, but it is mostly linked to diet and lifestyle choices.
A diet that is high in fats and cholesterol is just one of the things that can contribute to a buildup of plaques and clogged arteries. Other risk factors for clogged arteries can include:. Diagnosing arterial problems may begin with your primary care doctor, but if a blockage is suspected, you will most likely be referred to a cardiologist or vascular specialist. Who you see depends a lot on where the blockage is and what problems it is causing.
For example, if you have a blockage in an artery that feeds your brain, you may also need to see a neurologist. Your diagnosis will begin with a physical exam, as well as a review of your personal and family medical history. Additional testing may be done to pinpoint the location and degree of the blockage. Testing can include:. These tests can be used to measure the amount of fats and cholesterol in your blood, how much resistance your heart faces when pumping blood blood pressure , how well oxygen-rich blood is reaching certain parts of the body, and the degree of damage to areas of the body where there is a clogged artery.
Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die in what is known as a thrombotic stroke. Since arterial blockages in one area can indicate systemic damage, medications that treat isolated symptoms may not be the most effective way to treat the underlying problem.
Studies show that the most powerful prescription may not lie in the pill bottle, but rather on our plates. Consuming a plant-based diet free of cholesterol and low in fat has been proven to reverse arterial blockages and improve blood flow.
Join MDs, RDs, RNs, chefs, and motivational speakers to help prevent, treat, and reverse diabetes with an empowering plant-based diet! Register Now. Food for Life classes teach you how to improve your health with a plant-based diet. Find a Class. More on Heart Disease.
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