Your arteries are the prime locations where cholesterol and tryglycerides accumulate. These dangerous compounds stick to the lining of your artery walls and accumulate over time, constricting the passageway available for your blood to pass through. These blockages can become very small and cause high blood pressure, heart attacks and heart disease, among other problems. Surgery and prescription medications are available, but there are many things you can do to naturally treat blockages and clean out your arteries.
Eat the Right Foods
Your diet may be the single greatest factor in the development of cholesterol and triglycerides in your arteries. There are numerous ways you can improve your diet in a way that will help cleanse your arteries over time. First and foremost is the elimination of trans fats and dietary cholesterol from your diet---trans fats are common in margarine and commercial baked goods and not only contribute to the accumulation of bad cholesterol, but they also reduce your levels of healthy cholesterol needed for proper body function. Dietary cholesterol is also present in many dairy and protein foods, including milk, eggs and red meat---you should limit yourself to 200 mg cholesterol daily.
In place of these foods, eat a diet high in whole grains---which promote heart health, according to the Mayo Clinic---as well as fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber and low in sodium and cholesterol. Many fish products like salmon are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which are key to heart and artery health and can serve as a good replacement for other meat products.
Exercise
Individuals with dangerously clogged arteries may be too unhealthy for exercise, but most individuals can work out periodically to flush out their arteries and eliminate cholesterol. Mayo Clinic recommends working out 30 to 60 minutes a day, when possible, and doing exercises that keep your heart rate elevated for the entirety of the workout. Walking, running, bike-riding and swimming are all forms of exercise that can keep the heart rate elevated. If the 30- to 60-minute target is too high for you, start low and work your way up.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is notoriously bad for the heart and circulation, and it can cause poor cholesterol in many individuals. By quitting smoking, you can improve your health and circulation health almost instantly---your risk of a heart attack can decrease in less than 24 hours, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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