Happy, healthy arteries are at the core of vascular health. Making sure your heart stays strong means keeping your veins and arteries in peak condition. If you’re concerned about clogged arteries, learning the basics of what causes them to constrict and what you can do about it will help to ensure your arteries and heart stay healthy and strong.
Why do arteries narrow?
Narrowing of the arteries is typically caused by the build up of too much plaque inside them. Fatty deposits of cholesterol or other substances narrow the passageway and restrict blood flow. This eventually can lead to chest pain and more serious complications such as a heart attack.
Causes
There are several factors that can potentially lead to clogged arteries. Here are some risk factors to keep in mind:
- Lack of exercise: whether or not you are at a healthy weight, lack of physical activity can cause cholesterol buildup.
- Poor diet: an unhealthy balance of processed foods, salt, and sugar can lead to plaque buildup and damage to your arteries.
- Smoking: Smoking is a high contributor to plaque buildup.
- Age: Aging arteries can damage over time and lead to a higher risk of plaque buildup.
- Sex: The risk of buildup is slightly higher in men than women.
- Blood pressure: A diagnosis of high blood pressure or a family history of it can increase the rate of plaque buildup.
- Stress: A high-stress environment can lead to high blood pressure.
Is there a cure?
With proper lifestyle adjustments, treatment or surgery, artery restriction can absolutely be reversed. If you’re looking to improve vascular health, increase regular exercise and the amount of whole fruits and vegetables in your diet. It’s also important to reduce processed foods high in fat/salt/sugar, stress and smoking.
For more information on vascular health, speak to a vascular expert today at 231-739-9461. We’re here and committed to helping you stay healthy.