Is it possible to remove plaque from arteries

But she said she hopes the proposed trial will show that lowering apo B levels early in life will help people who are genetically inclined to have high cholesterol, as well as those with health problems caused by a poor diet, obesity and lack of exercise. A clinical trial could pave the way for a new generation of therapies to fight heart attacks and strokes, she said. We're not the first ones to think of this idea. This would be the culminating study of decades of research by thousands of people.

But I'm excited about this, and I think it's really time to pursue this hypothesis. If you have questions or comments about this story, please email editor heart. American Heart Association News covers heart disease, stroke and related health issues. Copyright is owned or held by the American Heart Association, Inc. Permission is granted, at no cost and without need for further request, for individuals, media outlets, and non-commercial education and awareness efforts to link to, quote, excerpt or reprint from these stories in any medium as long as no text is altered and proper attribution is made to American Heart Association News.

There are many different types of nuts to choose from, and someone can eat them as a snack or add them to salads or breakfasts. If someone is trying to maintain a moderate weight, they should be aware of their portion size of nuts, since they can be high in calories.

Fatty fish are part of the Mediterranean diet, and the omega-3 fatty acids that they contain have anti-inflammatory properties. People can include fatty fish in their meals up to twice a week but should limit their consumption of fish with higher mercury levels, such as swordfish and marlin. The Mediterranean diet includes legumes, beans , and pulses. These contain protein , vitamins, and minerals and are a suitable alternative to meat for vegetarians and vegans.

A person can purchase them precooked in tins, or soak and cook them from dry. Types to include are:. People should eat grains in their whole, natural state. Whole grains contain more fiber than processed grains and can help balance blood glucose.

Someone should be mindful of their portion size and aim to eat no more than a quarter of a plate of whole grains. Other than eating a healthful diet, someone can help prevent atherosclerosis by maintaining a healthful lifestyle that includes:.

Sometimes, a doctor needs to perform surgery for atherosclerosis. This may include balloon angioplasty or a stent to open a blocked artery. Healthcare professionals can treat angina with a coronary artery bypass. The doctor grafts a piece of a healthy vein to an area above the blockage to allow blood to flow. A person may not experience signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis in the early stages. However, when a major artery becomes blocked, this could lead to a heart attack or stroke.

If a person has concerns about their symptoms, they should speak with their doctor or visit the emergency room in more severe cases. When it comes to atherosclerosis or clogged arteries, prevention is better than the cure. Someone can reduce their risk of the condition by adopting a healthful diet and maintaining a moderate weight. Evidence suggests that a Mediterranean diet may be beneficial, so where possible, people should eat a diet with plenty of vegetables, olive oil, and nuts.

Having a regular exercise routine and being physically active can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis, or arteriosclerosis, happens when plaque collects and causes the arteries to narrow and harden, affecting blood flow.

Learn more here. Prevention is the best treatment for clogged arteries. Learn about causes, prevention, treatment, and risk factors for plaque buildup and…. The coronary arteries supply oxygen and blood to the heart. Learn more about coronary artery disease causes, symptoms, risk factors, and more. This article identifies the 15 most healthful foods based on recent research. As the plaques grow, they may block blood flow in an artery entirely.

You may have read articles or heard reports promoting natural ways to unclog your arteries. Focus on promoting better heart health by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Healthy habits will help prevent additional plaque from forming. Direct your efforts toward decreasing your low-density lipoprotein LDL levels and increasing your high-density lipoprotein HDL levels.

When you have a lot of LDL, the excess cholesterol floats through your body and may stick to your arterial walls. Read more: 28 healthy heart tips ». Diet can play a big role in improving your heart health and reducing your risk for a buildup of plaque.

Just as years of bad eating can damage your body, good eating can help heal it. A heart-healthy diet contains plenty of good fats and low amounts of bad fats. Exercise can improve your cardiovascular health and help prevent cardiac issues. Go for a walk once or twice a week. When that fits into your schedule, go for more walks. Slowly build up your routine and your stamina. Aim to get 30 minutes of moderately intense exercise at least five days per week.

When you eat better and move more, the natural result might be that you lose weight. Carrying extra weight increases your LDL cholesterol. That increases your risk for plaque buildup. Losing as little as 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can have a huge impact on your health, including your cholesterol.

The day you quit smoking, your health will start to rebound. Quitting smoking may help raise your HDL levels, too. Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting smoking. They can recommend smoking cessation programs and resources. Too much alcohol can also affect your heart. But some studies have shown that moderate use of alcohol may increase your HDL levels. These studies are not definitive enough for doctors to encourage anyone to drink for heart health.