- 1. Lifestyle changes
- 2. Use of medicines
- 3. Surgery
- 4. Natural treatment options
- Signs of improvement
- Signs of worsening
Atherosclerosis is the accumulation of fat on the artery wall, forming fatty plaques or atheromatous plaques, which hinder the passage of blood in the vessel. It is often associated with an increase in LDL "bad" cholesterol and low HDL levels, called "good" cholesterol.
The treatment for atherosclerosis serves to reduce these fatty plaques that get stuck in the walls of the arteries and to heal the lesions that stay in place. This can be achieved through the use of medicines, surgery, but mainly through changing the lifestyle.
Learn more about the causes and symptoms of atherosclerosis.
1. Lifestyle changes
Most of the time, treatment for atherosclerosis consists of changing your lifestyle, because healthy habits help to decrease the risk of developing other heart diseases.
Food should follow the low consumption of fats, sweets, pasta, alcoholic beverages and should be rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, cereals and olive oil, as healthy eating has been associated with benefits for heart health. For example, the Mediterranean diet that is based on eating natural foods and less industrialized products has been linked to a reduction in cardiovascular disease. See how to make this diet in the video:
Practicing physical exercises helps in weight control and this favors the formation of fat in the arteries of the heart. In addition, physical activity also helps to improve blood circulation and promotes the formation of healthy blood vessels.
Cigarette use causes damage to the body and triggers inflammatory reactions, in addition to making blood vessels less dilated and impairing circulation. In this way, quitting smoking helps to lower blood pressure and reduces the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
2. Use of medicines
The remedies for atherosclerosis should be indicated by the cardiologist after evaluating the 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: 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 arteries, lower blood pressure and reduce tension in the heart; Diuretics: they work by lowering the 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 reduce cholesterol.
It is important to follow the cardiologist's instructions regarding the use of these medications, such as the right dose and correct times. In addition, along with the use of medicines, it is necessary to change the lifestyle and diet, as this is how the consequences of atherosclerosis can be avoided.
3. Surgery
Often, when the drugs are no longer able to reduce the fatty plaques on the artery wall, surgery is required to remove this fat. The types of surgery to treat atherosclerosis depend on the technique used, as well as on the severity of the disease. Angioplasty or stent placement is a type of surgery performed in these cases, and the doctor places a tube, called a stent , in the obstructed part, to open the artery and facilitate the passage of blood.
Another surgery indicated for atherosclerosis is the 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 unblock an artery of the heart. See more details on how cardiac catheterization is performed.
4. Natural treatment options
There are some natural products available to fight atherosclerosis, and most of these substances help in reducing cholesterol and consequently decrease atheroma plaques in the arteries, facilitating blood circulation. Among them are:
- Monacoline K: found in fermented red rice, which is a traditional ingredient in Chinese medicine and helps to lower blood cholesterol; Sterols or stanols: present in vegetable oils such as nuts, fruits, seeds and grains and help to prevent the intestine from absorbing fat; Soluble fibers: contains substances called beta-glucans, present in oat bran, help to reduce cholesterol by eliminating fat in the stool; 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 control cholesterol; Curcumin: present in saffron, it acts by reducing the fatty plaque on the artery wall; Omega 3: present in foods such as fish, helps to reduce blood fat levels and are able to regulate blood pressure and clotting;
These substances are found in food, but may be available in capsules for supplementation of the diet. However, it is important to always follow the medical guidelines and respect the recommendations of the herbalist for the use of these capsules.
There are other foods and products that assist in the treatment for atherosclerosis, facilitating blood circulation and preventing blood vessel obstruction, such as buckwheat, red vine, Asian spark and horse chestnut.
Signs of improvement
Treatments for atherosclerosis are based on the use of medications and changes in lifestyle and when performed they help reduce fatigue, increase physical disposition, reduce stress and assist in weight loss.
Signs of worsening
Often, atherosclerosis has no symptoms, but in cases where the fat completely blocks 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 in the left arm and malaise may appear. Learn more about the symptoms of heart attack.
However, if there is an impairment of a brain artery, signs such as difficulty in speaking, crooked mouth or difficulty in seeing can appear. In these cases, it is necessary to go quickly to the hospital or seek medical attention from a cardiologist.
