Plaque is a combination of fats, cholesterol and other substances. A buildup of plaque along the walls of the arteries, also referred to as atherosclerosis, may cause the affected individual to experience symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath and heart arrhythmias. Having atherosclerosis also increases the risk of developing serious medical conditions such as a heart attack or stroke due to the narrowing of the blood vessels. Lifestyle changes, medications and surgery are ways to reduce the amount of plaque buildup in the arteries.
Step 1
Stop smoking to decrease plaque buildup. Smoking decreases good cholesterol in the body and increases levels of bad cholesterol. Smoking also causes the blood to clot, injures the walls of the artery and increase the risk of death. Smoking cessation decreases the risk of serious complications immediately and improves the longer a person goes without smoking, according to The Merck Manual.
Step 2
Eat a healthy diet. Increasing the amount of fiber, fruits and vegetables and decreasing saturated fat, salt and cholesterol helps decrease plaque in the arteries. A healthy diet also decreases high blood pressure and levels of bad cholesterol in the blood.
Step 3
Limit the intake of alcohol. Alcohol can raise blood pressure and levels of fats in the blood and may cause an individual to gain unhealthy weight. Men need to limit alcohol consumption to two or fewer glasses a day and women need only one serving of alcohol each day, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Step 4
Exercise. Physical activity that raises the heart rate for at least 30 to 60 minutes each day can improve circulation of blood and helps develop new blood vessels. Exercising also lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Exercise at least five days per week.
Step 5
Control medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol levels. These conditions cause increased damage to the arteries. Controlling blood cholesterol decreases the amount of plaque that builds up in the arteries. High blood pressure increases the risk of complications due to the plaque in the arteries. Individuals with diabetes have a narrowing of the arteries and develop additional conditions such as damage to the eyes, kidneys and nerves.
Step 6
Take all prescribed medications. Cholesterol-lowering medications help decrease the fatty buildup in the arteries. Anti-platelet medications will decrease the likelihood of developing the blood clots that cause more blockages. Additional medications such as anticoagulants help keep the blood thin and flowing easily through the veins, while blood pressure medications help to slow the progression of plaque formation.
Step 7
Schedule an endarterectomy with a cardiac surgeon for surgical removal of the plaque from the walls of the arteries. This procedure can help clear plaque from the carotid arteries of the neck, according to MayoClinic.com.
Step 8
Open arteries clogged with plaque by having an angioplasty procedure. This procedure uses a special balloon to widen a narrowed artery.
