The type of fat a person eats can affect plaque in the arteries. This is because these kinds of fats contain high levels of LDL cholesterol, which is the main material of plaque in the arteries. Along with trans fats, saturated fats may also affect heart health, though the evidence for this is mixed.
Saturated fats are mostly found in animal products, such as beef, pork, and dairy, but also in coconut oil and palm oil. One review of scientific studies found there was a small but possibly important reduction in the risk of cardiovascular issues when people cut down on saturated fats and replaced them with unsaturated fats. Another review study suggests that people should avoid saturated fats because they increase LDL cholesterol in the body, which is a direct cause of heart issues.
Unsaturated fats are the good fats. They contain HDL cholesterol, which can help to take bad cholesterol from the arteries before it turns into plaque. According to the AHA, unsaturated fats may help improve blood cholesterol when eaten instead of trans or saturated fats.
Drinking teas, such as green or black tea, rooibos tea, or ginger tea may be good heart-healthy substitutes for other beverages. A study from found that drinking 6 cups of rooibos tea per day for 6 weeks helped to lower the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood in adults who were at risk for heart diseases. Green tea can also help. A review reported that green tea and its extracts could lower LDL cholesterol in the blood, though this did not affect HDL cholesterol.
Ginger supplementation may also improve significant markers that can lead to cardiovascular events, according to a study. Ginger root can be found as a supplement, but people can also brew it in hot water, and drink it as a tea. A range of herbal teas is available for purchase online. Obesity is a risk factor for plaque buildup and heart disease. In addition to eating a healthful diet, regularly exercising may help a person to lose weight and reduce their risk of heart problems.
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.
These studies are not definitive enough for doctors to encourage anyone to drink for heart health. Read more: Can drinking alcohol affect your heart health? Be sure to take your cholesterol medication as prescribed. Many medications may also work better when you make healthy lifestyle changes. If your doctor discovers that one or more of your arteries is blocked, lifestyle changes may not be enough. Instead, your doctor may suggest an invasive treatment to remove or bypass the blockages.
During these procedures, your doctor will insert a tiny tube into your artery to suck out the plaque or break up the plaque atherectomy. Your doctor may then leave behind a tiny metal structure stent that helps support the artery and increase blood flow. During this surgery, your doctor will remove arteries from other parts of your body and replace the blocked artery. If blockages remain untreated, you could experience serious health complications like a stroke, aneurysm, or heart attack.
If you were diagnosed with arterial blockages, now is the time to get healthy. Though there is little you can do to unclog arteries, you can do a lot to prevent additional buildup. A heart-healthy lifestyle can help you lower your levels of artery-clogging LDL cholesterol. It can also help you be healthier overall.
Healthy lifestyle changes are especially important if you have a procedure to remove plaques or bypass a heavily clogged artery. Read this article in Spanish. HDL cholesterol removes extra cholesterol and plaque buildup in your arteries. Here are six other exercises that can help improve your levels too. A stent is a tube that your doctor inserts into a blocked passageway, such as a blood vessel, to keep it open. We explain what healthy cholesterol levels are for adults and children.
Also, learn about lifestyle changes and medications to help lower your…. Beer, liquor, and wine have different effects on your cholesterol levels. However, how much and how often you drink has a bigger impact than what you…. Learn about tips for having a heart-healthy diet and what the research says about the effects of alcohol, calcium, sugar, and caffeine on your heart.
Discover 28 ways to power up, wind down, and have fun — all in the name of a healthy heart. Work these heart-healthy habits into your lifestyle. Blocked arteries can cause serious problems if they prevent blood from reaching vital parts of the body such as the heart or brain. Sometimes the only way to know if your arteries are clogged is to undergo a screening test such as a carotid Doppler ultrasound, which can check for blockages that might put you at risk of a stroke.
Clogged arteries occur because of a condition known as atherosclerosis, which happens when fatty material from the blood sticks to the inside of the arteries. Over time, enough of this material can build up that it starts to affect the flow of blood. The effects of this can depend on the location of the blockage. Clogged arteries can be particularly dangerous when they affect blood supplying the heart or brain as these organs need continuous supplies of oxygen to keep functioning properly.
Sometimes there can be warning signs that an artery is blocked before it causes a serious event.
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