What Is the Cure for Clogged Arteries?

Clogged arteries that can lead to heart attack or stroke are the leading cause of death in the U.S. Medically termed arteriosclerosis, arteries become clogged or hardened when blood flow to your body's organs and tissues is blocked by the buildup of fats. While you can die if this condition is left untreated, clogged arteries are completely curable through lifestyle changes, medications or surgery.

What Causes Clogged Arteries?

• Identifying the cause of hardening of the arteries is the first step toward finding the proper cure. A form of ateriosclerosis, atherosclerosis happens over time. The inner walls of arteries become damaged from various things, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes and nicotine. Eventually, fatty deposits known as plaque settle in the damaged areas and narrow the arteries. When this happens, blood vessels that travel to the organs and tissues are restricted. Without enough blood providing oxygen and nutrients, the body's major organs can no longer function correctly. The end result can be a heart attack, stroke or other organ damage.

  Atherosclerosis can occur in the arteries leading to the heart, brain, arms or legs. Symptoms are pain or numbness in the area.

Diet and Exercise

• The progression of clogged arteries can be curbed with lifestyle changes. A diet high in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium, is the best cure for clogged arteries. Exercising 30 to 60 minutes a day enhances circulation and encourages the formation of new blood vessels to bypass damaged artery walls.

  Techniques that manage stress can lower high blood pressure, which causes weakened arteries. Smoking also damages arteries, so quitting is an excellent course of action for preventing hardening of the arteries.

Drugs and Surgical Cures

• In many cases, clogged arteries are too far along for lifestyle changes alone to repair the damage. Your doctor may recommend medications to complement your new and improved habits. Common drugs for curing or controlling hardening of the arteries are blood pressure reducers and cholesterol medications such as fibrates and statins. Aspirin or an anticoagulant may be prescribed for preventing blood clots or further blockage of the arteries.

  Surgery is performed when arteries become severely clogged. Your doctor will explain the extent of the blockage. For instance, when one or more arteries are 80 percent or more blocked, surgery is the best treatment.

  Angioplasty is the most common cure for clogged arteries. In this surgical procedure, a thin tube called a catheter is inserted into the blocked artery so a deflated balloon can pass through. The balloon is inflated and squeezes against the plaque deposits on the artery walls, creating a wider passageway for the blood to flow. Another tube called a stent is inserted and ensures the artery remains open.

  Depending on the blockage, bypass surgery is another option. In this type of surgery, a graft is made to bypass blood flow around the blocked artery.

  Other surgical cures for clogged arteries are endarterectomy, which removes fatty deposits from artery walls, and thrombolytic therapy, which treats a blood clot that is blocking an artery.