How Can I Clean My Blood Vessels?

Blood vessels become clogged with plaque and begin to harden in a condition called arteriosclerosis, a component of heart disease which leads to heart attack or stroke. Regular doctor visits and medical supervision are necessary to detect and monitor arterial blockage and hardening, but dietary and lifestyle changes can clear many blocked blood vessels before the condition becomes more serious. These healthful changes work together with your doctor's advice to clean blood vessels for optimal health.

Heart-Healthy Diet

• According to Dr. Jim McDougall, switching to a heart-healthy diet, and adopting judicious use of medications if necessary, can begin reversing arteriosclerosis and reduce risk of heart attack and stroke within days or even hours. Cardiologist Richard Flemming concurs that the key is embracing a low-fat, high-fiber, plant-based diet high in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

  Eat orange vegetables and leafy greens, which are high in healing properties which help renew artery flexibility, allowing for expanded blood flow. These vegetables as well as whole-grain breads and cereals and soy-based products like vegetarian burgers or tempeh are low in fat and sugar and additional plaque isn't added to the arteries by consuming them. Their nutrients also help the body flush out existing plaque naturally.

  Avoid butter, gravies and cheese sauces that counteract the healthful effects of the low-fat, plant-based diet. Avoid hydrogenated fats and processed foods, but eat healthful amounts of nuts, seeds and avocados along with fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains. Switch to healthful eating and begin to clear your blood vessels almost immediately.

Weight Loss and Exercise

• Excess weight puts a greater strain on the heart, which has to pump blood through the miles of capillaries which feed every square inch of body fat. A heart-healthy diet along with regular exercise will help obtain or maintain an appropriate weight and will help clear arteries by speeding blood and oxygen along the blood vessels. The Mayo Clinic recommends making lifestyle changes one step at a time, building up to at least one half-hour of regular exercise most days of the week. Mayo Clinic staff point out that exercise will not only improve circulation, it will also help to form new blood vessels to bypass obstructed or damaged areas.

Medication and Home Remedies

• Healthy diet and regular exercise can reverse many blood vessel obstructions, but medication may be necessary in severe cases or when other complications prevent the patient from making immediate lifestyle changes. Doctors may choose from a wide spectrum of medications designed to slow or reverse arteriosclerosis, including cholesterol medication, anti-platelet medications, anticoagulants and beta-blockers. The choice of medication will be determined by the patient's precise symptoms and conditions and the doctor's preferences, knowledge and experience.

  Home remedies should never substitute for sound medical advice and any necessary medication, but many traditional heart-tonic remedies are known to be beneficial supplements to medical treatment for clearing clogged blood vessels. Fresh, bitter green vegetables like dandelion greens have long been viewed by herbalists and country healers to benefit heart health. These greens are high in iron, vitamins, calcium and antioxidants, which help smooth and rebuild artery walls. Green tea, another traditional remedy, is high in antioxidant compounds and helps lower cholesterol and reduce blood pressure. Follow doctor's advice, but add greens to your daily diet to help speed cleaning of your blood vessels.