Can Plaque Build Up in Arteries Be Reversed?

Plaque buildup in arteries can, in many cases, be reversed if an individual is dedicated to adopting changes in lifestyle, treatment with medications and, if necessary, surgical procedures.

Significance

• Arterial vascular disease occurs as a result of plaque buildup in the arteries. This condition, known as atherosclerosis, restricts the blood flow and oxygen necessary for function of various parts of the body.

Identification

• Plaque is composed of deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products and calcium. The most crucial step in any attempt to reverse plaque buildup is a change in diet with extreme limitations on consumption of fat and cholesterol.

Prevention/Solution

• Aspirin, cholesterol-lowering medications, ACE inhibitors, omega-3 fatty acids, exercise and smoking cessation are therapies that have been shown to decrease the risk of mortality in patients with atherosclerosis, according to the clinical practice guideline developed by the UCLA Comprehensive Atherosclerosis Treatment Program.

Medication

• Physicians choose from a variety of cholesterol-lowering medications, most commonly selecting from the group known as statins. "Aggressively lowering your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the 'bad' cholesterol, can slow, stop or even reverse the buildup of fatty deposits in your arteries," says the Mayo Clinic.

Surgery

• Should lifestyle changes and medication fail to reverse the buildup of plaque, surgical procedures such as stenting and angioplasty are used to help reopen blocked arteries. In advanced cases, surgical bypass operations may be necessary.