You may be able to reverse clogged arteries through diet, physical activity, and stress management. Lifestyle changes and medications may also reduce plaque buildup.
Arteries are a major component of your circulatory system.
These tubes move oxygen-containing blood through your body, helping fuel all your body’s functions. When blood vessels are clear and open, blood can flow freely.
However, plaques of cholesterol, fat, and other substances can sometimes build up inside your blood vessels. This condition is known as atherosclerosis, which may gradually narrow your arteries.
Treatment will depend on the severity and location of your plaque buildup. The authors of a 2020 review note that reversing atherosclerosis involves managing all major risk factors, including:
- reducing high cholesterol
- reducing high blood pressure
- quitting smoking if you smoke
Diet (eating plan), physical activity, and stress management may also help you “unclog” your arteries. However, bypass surgery may be needed to help prevent complications.
Keep reading to learn more about what you can do to help unclog your arteries.
A plant-based, heart-healthy diet may help treat plaques and prevent others from forming.
One
Here are some foods to consider including in your eating plan and others to consider limiting or avoiding to help prevent artery clogging or to help unclog your arteries.
Eat | Limit or Avoid |
---|---|
• unsaturated fats • grains • legumes • beans • oats • vegetables • fruits • nuts • seeds • dietary fiber | • highly processed foods • trans fats • saturated fats • added sugars • excess sodium |
The DASH diet recommends lean meats, fish, poultry, and low fat dairy products. Eggs are high in dietary cholesterol, but
The
According to the
That said, plaque can start building in your arteries in your 20s and 30s, according to the British Heart Foundation.
The authors of a
Aside from following a heart-healthy eating plan, here are some additional tips that may 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 cardiac issues.
Slowly build up your routine and stamina, and make staying physically active a part of your weekly routine. Aim for at least
Walking is a great way to get moving.
The
- exercise bands
- weight machines
- handheld weights
Speaking with a doctor before starting a new activity, such as an exercise routine, is essential. They can help you develop the best physical activity plan, including intensity level. It’s important to note that some types of exercise may be physically unsafe if you have certain chronic conditions.
Manage cholesterol levels
Decreasing your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and increasing your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels may also help reduce plaque buildup in your arteries.
When you have a high LDL level (or “bad” cholesterol), the excess cholesterol floats through your body and may stick to arterial walls. HDL (the “good” cholesterol) removes the LDL deposits and stops plaque formation.
A doctor may prescribe medications to help lower your LDL cholesterol and prevent plaques.
The researchers of a
Maintain a moderate weight
Following a heart-healthy eating plan and staying physically active may help you lose weight, if that’s your goal, and maintain a moderate weight. Not maintaining a moderate weight can lead to an
If you are overweight or have obesity, reducing your body weight by
Quit smoking and reduce alcohol intake
Smoking
If you smoke, the day you quit, your health is
The
Drinking too much alcohol can also affect the heart. If you consume alcohol, the
Alcohol can also negatively affect your cholesterol levels.
Manage stress
Your mental and emotional health can directly affect your physical health and overall well-being. It’s essential to identify and manage stress as best as you can. You might consider taking time to relax each day or seeking support from a therapist if you need help managing issues you might face every day.
Take prescribed medication
If lifestyle changes alone are not providing the results you seek in helping unclog your arteries, consider talking with a doctor. They may prescribe medications to help lower your LDL cholesterol and prevent plaques.
These medications are designed for use alongside other heart-healthy measures, such as following a heart-healthy eating plan and staying physically active.
Statin medications are a
- PCSK9 inhibitors such as evolocumab (Repatha) or alirocumab (Praluent)
- bempedoic acid (Nexletol)
- ezetimibe (Zetia)
Be sure to take your cholesterol medication as prescribed. It’s vital to continue a heart-healthy eating plan and regular physical activity even if you’re taking a cholesterol-lowering medication.
If you’ve received an arterial blockage diagnosis, now is the ideal time to consider measures to reverse plaque and prevent additional buildup.
Some lifestyle changes may help prevent your condition from worsening. However, you may need medical intervention if one or more of your arteries has a more severe blockage.
A doctor
- bypass surgery
- angioplasty
- weight loss surgery
- carotid artery surgery
- percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or stent replacement
If you have clogged arteries, working with a doctor to create a treatment plan is essential. If blockages remain untreated, you could experience severe health complications,
- angina
- coronary artery disease
- coronary microvascular disease
- heart attack
- carotid artery disease
- stroke
- peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- chronic kidney disease
What is the fastest way to unclog your arteries?
There is no fast, easy way to unclog an artery once plaque has built up. However, following a heart-healthy eating plan, staying physically active, such as regularly exercising, and quitting smoking (if you smoke) can help stop blockages from getting worse.
In some cases, medications or surgery may be needed.
What are the warning signs of clogged arteries?
Chest pain, also called angina, is one of the most common symptoms of a clogged artery. Angina has been described as a squeezing tightness or heaviness centered on your chest. Pain may typically start in the area of your breastbone and radiate to your left arm or shoulder. It may also radiate to your jaw or upper back.
Angina pain from a clogged artery is typically felt when you’re exerting yourself, and it usually goes away with rest. Other symptoms may include:
- dizziness
- feeling like your heart is racing
- nausea or indigestion
- shortness of breath
- sweating
- weakness
Can you reverse plaque buildup in your arteries?
Following a heart-healthy diet,
Plaque buildup may clog your arteries. Though diet and lifestyle are major contributors to arterial blockages, your risk of atherosclerosis may also increase with age.
Adopting a heart-healthy eating plan and staying physically active, like exercising regularly, may help reduce plaques and prevent them from getting worse. These health-promoting lifestyle changes are also essential if you have a procedure to remove plaques or bypass a heavily clogged artery.
If you have questions about clogged arteries, talk with a healthcare professional.
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