How is atherosclerosis treated?

Content:

The treatment for atherosclerosis must be indicated by the cardiologist and aims to reduce the fatty plaques that are present inside the vessels and heal the lesions that remain in place, favoring blood circulation. For this, the doctor may indicate a change in lifestyle, use of medication or surgery.

Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of fat in the walls of the arteries, forming fatty plaques or atheromatous plaques, which make it difficult for blood to pass through the vessel. It is often associated with increased "bad" LDL cholesterol and low levels of HDL, called "good" cholesterol. Learn more about atherosclerosis.

1. Lifestyle changes

Most of the time, the treatment for atherosclerosis consists of changing your lifestyle, because healthy habits help to reduce the risk of developing other heart diseases.

Thus, it is recommended to practice physical activity on a regular basis, as in addition to contributing to weight loss, it also prevents the accumulation of fat in the arteries, promotes the formation of healthy blood vessels and improves blood circulation.

It is also important to have a healthy and balanced diet, giving preference to fruits, vegetables, fish, cereals and olive oil, as they are rich in fiber and good fats that prevent the accumulation of fat inside the cases. One diet option to help treat atherosclerosis is the Mediterranean diet, which is based on eating natural foods and less processed products. Check out the following video on how to do the Mediterranean diet:

2. Use of medication

Medicines for atherosclerosis should be indicated by the cardiologist after evaluation of exams, health status and lifestyle of the person. Some examples of remedies for atherosclerosis are:

  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: work to lower blood pressure and protect the heart and kidneys;
  • Antiplatelet drugs: better known as aspirin, they serve to prevent the formation of clots in the arteries;
  • Beta-blockers: reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure;
  • Calcium channel blockers: relax the arteries, lower blood pressure and reduce strain on the heart;
  • Diuretics: they work by lowering blood pressure, eliminating water from the body, they also serve to treat heart failure;
  • Nitrates: relieve chest pain and improve blood flow to the heart;
  • Statins: help in lowering cholesterol.

It is important to follow the cardiologist's guidelines regarding the use of these medications, such as the right dose and correct times. In addition, along with the use of medication, it is necessary to change the lifestyle and diet, as it is possible to avoid the consequences of atherosclerosis.

3. Surgery

Often, when the drugs are no longer able to reduce the fatty plaques on the walls of the arteries, surgery is required to remove this fat. The types of surgeries to treat atherosclerosis depend on the technique used, as well as the severity of the disease. Angioplasty or stent placement is a type of surgery performed in these cases, in which the doctor places a tube, called a stent , in the blocked part, to open the artery and facilitate the passage of blood.

Another surgery indicated for atherosclerosis is the saphenous bypass which is when the doctor replaces a clogged artery in the heart with another artery in the leg. Catheterization can also be performed, which is the introduction of a tube, the catheter, to unclog an artery in the heart. See more details on how cardiac catheterization is performed.

4. Natural treatment

There are some natural products available to fight atherosclerosis, and most of these substances help reduce cholesterol and consequently reduce atheromatous plaques in the arteries, facilitating blood circulation. Among them are:

  • Monacolin K: found in red yeast rice, which is a traditional ingredient in Chinese medicine and helps lower blood cholesterol.
  • Sterols or stanols: present in vegetable oils such as nuts, fruits, seeds and grains and help prevent the intestine from absorbing fat;
  • Soluble fiber: contains substances called beta glucans, present in oat bran, which help to reduce cholesterol through the elimination of fat in the feces;
  • Allicin: is a substance found in garlic and has an anti-inflammatory action that slows down the formation of atheromatous plaque;
  • Niacin: is also known as vitamin B3, present in foods such as liver, chicken, salmon and helps in the control of cholesterol;
  • Curcumin: present in turmeric, it works by reducing the fatty plaque on the artery wall;
  • Omega 3: present in foods such as fish, it helps to reduce blood fat levels and is able to regulate blood pressure and clotting;

These substances are found in foods, but may be available in capsules for dietary supplementation. However, it is important to always follow the medical guidelines and respect the recommendations of the herbalist professional for the use of these capsules.

There are other foods and products that help in the treatment of atherosclerosis, facilitating blood circulation and preventing the obstruction of blood vessels, such as buckwheat, red vine, gotu kola and horse chestnut.

signs of improvement

Treatments for atherosclerosis are based on the use of medication and changes in life habits and when performed they help to reduce fatigue, increasing physical disposition, reducing stress and helping to lose weight.

signs of worsening

Atherosclerosis often has no symptoms, but in cases where fat completely clogs an artery, some signs may appear. These signs will depend on the location of the artery that the fat is blocking and the disease caused by this complication. If the blood flow is interrupted in any artery of the heart, acute myocardial infarction can occur and signs such as pain and pressure in the left chest, numbness or tingling of the left arm and malaise appear. Learn more about heart attack symptoms .

However, if an artery in the brain is compromised, signs such as difficulty speaking, a crooked mouth, or difficulty seeing may appear. In these cases, it is necessary to quickly go to the hospital or seek medical attention from a cardiologist.