Plaque is a term used to describe the buildup that can occur along the walls of your arteries. If your bloodstream has a high level of fat and cholesterol, the excess will develop into a buildup of plaque. This buildup sticks to the artery walls and causes them to harden and narrow. This reduces the amount of blood and oxygen your heart receives, which in turn increases your risk of a heart attack. In addition, pieces of the plaque can break off and block an artery, causing a heart attack or stroke. While your best defense is to adopt healthy lifestyle habits to prevent plaque buildup, there are medical options to remove the plaque buildup.
Step 1
Have surgery to remove the plaque. If your plaque buildup has reached a dangerous level and you are at a high risk of a heart attack or stroke, you may need surgery. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid angioplasty are the two most common procedures used to remove plaque. Carotid endarterectomy is a procedure wherein the lining in the part of the artery containing the plaque buildup is removed. Carotid angioplasty involves placing a thin tube with a balloon on the end into the arteries. The balloon is then inflated to try to push the plaque against the artery wall to create more space. The surgeon may then put a stent in place to try to strengthen the artery wall. In severe cases, you may need coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. This procedure inserts a healthy artery nearby the blockage so that the blood flow can bypass the blocked area.
Step 2
Take medication. According to the American Heart Association there are many types of medications that lower blood cholesterol levels, which in turn helps slow down further plaque buildup. One class of drugs is called statins, and they prevent your liver from producing cholesterol. These drugs may also help to clear your arteries of plaque. More research needs to be done to determine the effect of statins on the actual removal of plaque from the arteries. In addition to statins the American Heart Association also states that the popular diabetes medication Pioglitazone is showing promise in stopping the progression of artery narrowing due to plaque.
Step 3
Make healthy lifestyle choices. According to the Texas Heart Institute, adopting healthy lifestyle habits is a key component in the treatment of plaque buildup. Surgery and medications can help, but unless you eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, stop smoking and lose excess weight, your arteries can become clogged again.
Tips and Warnings
- Since plaque buildup can exist without symptoms, it is important to have your cholesterol levels and blood pressure checked regularly to determine your risk of a heart attack and stroke.
- Surgery and medications alone will not be enough without making the necessary lifestyle changes.
