How to Remove Cholesterol From Arterial Walls

Cholesterol plaque build-up can occur from high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in your blood, which attaches to your arterial walls after consuming unhealthy foods. Processed foods that are high in total fat, saturated fat and trans fat all contribute to unhealthy cholesterol, which can eventually lead to coronary artery disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. In order to reduce your risk of heart disease you can increase your consumption of healthy foods that raise your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, which attaches itself to excess cholesterol in the blood and sends it to the kidney for excretion.

Things You'll Need

• Healthy fruits and vegetables
• Complex carbohydrates
• Salmon, sardines, tuna or mackeral
• Olive Oil
• Cholesterol-reducing medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Some vegetables and fruit are high in soluble fiber, a plant fiber that lowers your LDL levels, and increases your HDL levels.

• 2

  Switch from simple carbohydrates to complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates are also called "good carbohydrates" because they help satiate hunger and lower your cholesterol, according to the American Heart Association. Complex carbs can be found in oat bran, oatmeal, whole-wheat bread and many other unrefined grains.

• 3

  Eat more fish. Salmon, sardines, tuna and mackerel are high in omega-3 fatty acids and protein, which helps reduce cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure and your risk of blood clots, according to the Mayo Clinic. You should eat no more than 5 to 6 ounces of fish per day, according to the "Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005."

• 4

  Replace butter and margarine with olive oil. According to the American Heart Association, olive oil is high in heart-healthy antioxidants that can help reduce LDL and increase HDL. Choose extra virgin olive oil, as it contains more antioxidants than its counterparts.

• 5

  Cut out unhealthy fats. Saturated and trans fat are high in bad cholesterol, which increases plaque build up. Saturated fat can be found in dairy products with whole milk, processed foods, butter, and most sugary snacks. Trans fat can be found in doughnuts, biscuits, fried foods, and baked goods, according to "To Your Health!" by the American Heart Association.

• 6

  Take cholesterol-reducing medication. Statin is a common drug prescribed to lower cholesterol by assisting your body in absorbing cholesterol on the arterial walls, according to the Mayo Clinic.