Plaque might be a word you usually associate with your teeth, but it can mean something much more worrying inside your arteries. High levels of “bad” cholesterol could be causing a dangerous build-up in your blood vessels. However, there are also ways to manage this and reduce the risk of cholesterol-based illness.
We’ve looked at what causes arterial plaque and what you can do about it to get your health back under control.
What Is Plaque?
Plaque in the arteries is a build-up that can reduce the blood flow. Many people think it’s a build-up of cholesterol, but the plaque itself is actually your own white blood cells. Cholesterol can become lodged in the wall of your arteries, which triggers a white blood cell response. Those cells trap the cholesterol, eventually forming a cap and creating a pocket of cholesterol that narrows the blood vessel.
This build-up of fatty substances in the blood vessels is called atherosclerosis.
Risks of Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is problematic for several reasons:
- It reduces the width of the artery, thus reducing blood flow.
- Arteries can become inflamed.
- The wall of cells over the cholesterol is thin, and if it ruptures, clots can form, which can cause heart attacks.
- It can lead to heart problems such as angina, where the heart doesn’t get enough blood.
- It can even lead to heart attacks and strokes.
- Atherosclerosis is also associated with kidney disease.
Symptoms of Atherosclerosis
Unfortunately, until it becomes severe, there are no noticeable symptoms of atherosclerosis. Once an artery is blocked or close to being completely blocked, the following symptoms may occur:
- Pain in the limb which has a blocked artery
- Chest pain
- Breathing problems
- Feeling tired
- Confusion or problems concentrating as the brain suffers from blood loss
- Muscle weakness
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, a doctor might do a blood test to check your cholesterol levels. If your cholesterol is high, further tests may lead to an ECG or a coronary angiogram.
Who Can Get Atherosclerosis?
Atherosclerosis is a prevalent condition: however, some people are more at risk than others. You might be more prone to arterial plaque if you:
- Are over 65 years old
- Have a family history of circulatory problems or heart disease
- Have suffered from blocked arteries previously
- Suffer from diabetes
- Smoke
- Suffer from high blood pressure
Always tell your doctor about any of these factors to help with an accurate diagnosis.
How to Remove Plaque from Arteries
Knowing how to reverse atherosclerosis is about learning how to unclog arteries naturally. There might not be a quick and easy way to magically dissolve plaque in arteries, but that doesn’t mean you can’t improve your situation. Can you reverse plaque build-up in your arteries? Not exactly, but it may be possible, with care, to stabilize the condition and make it less dangerous.
How to Unclog Arteries: Diet
If you’re looking for foods that clean arteries and veins, you need to think about foods that will reduce the amount of LDL in the bloodstream. LDL stands for Low-Density Lipoprotein and is the type of cholesterol that gets deposited in your artery walls. LDL can be reduced with drugs such as statins, but it can also be managed through a healthier diet and lifestyle.
Some foods that can help clean arteries include:
- Olive oil
- Asparagus
- Oily fish such as mackerel or sardines
- Unsalted nuts
- Watermelon
- Turmeric
Knowing how to unclog arteries means understanding which foods and micronutrients look after your cardiovascular system. Another way to manage this is via supplements.
Bergamot for Atherosclerosis
You might be anxious to know how to clean arteries fast, but a change in the body takes time and care. Knowing how to clean your arteries is about more than just avoiding fatty foods. The Revive Bergamot Cardiovascular Support supplement may help you maintain a cholesterol level within a normal range, thus preventing arterial plaque.
Studies have found that bergamot, a fragrant citrus plant, may reduce plasma lipids and positively affect LDL levels in the blood. This significant discovery means that not only is bergamot a tasty addition to many teas and puddings, it may also be the key to unclogging arteries.
The Revive supplement combines the beneficial effects of bergamot with substances that promote absorption for maximum impact. If your cholesterol levels are where they should be and you would like to maintain that level, adding this bergamot supplement into your daily wellness routine could keep your arteries clean and clear for many years to come.
Lowering or maintaining a healthy cholesterol level can significantly improve your heart’s health and lower the risk of stroke. Combine your bergamot supplement with a healthy diet, with plenty of fruit and vegetables, plus regular physical activity, and you could see and feel the benefits of a healthy and happy cardiovascular system.
Takeaway
Understanding how to clear clogged arteries without surgery is about knowing which foods cause arterial plaque, managing a healthy lifestyle, and exploring suitable supplements. Can atherosclerosis be reversed? Although you can’t physically remove plaque from arteries, you can halt atherosclerosis progress and enjoy a healthier day-to-day life.
The information being presented in this blog is intended to be used as educational or resource information only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice from your healthcare provider. This content should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please contact your healthcare provider. You should call 911 for all medical emergencies. Revive MD is not liable for any advice or information provided on this blog, which advice or information is provided on an “as-is” basis, and assumes no liability for diagnosis, treatment, decisions, or actions made in reliance upon any advice or information contained on this blog. No warranties, express or implied, are made on the information that is provided.