Arteriosclerosis, also known as atherosclerosis, refers to a hardening of the arteries that prevents smooth blood flow through your body. According to the Mayo Clinic, a fatty substance called cholesterol forms plaque and builds up in your blood vessels. When this plaque obstructs your coronary artery (main blood vessel in your heart), you can experience angina (chest pain) or a heart attack. Sometimes, the plaque can break off into clumps and go to your brain and result in a stroke. You can prevent this from happening by following healthy habits and using medication when necessary.
Step 1
Stop smoking. Smoking alters your blood vessels and can aid fatty deposit formation in your blood vessels.
Step 2
Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fat. This helps decrease your cholesterol and keeps it from building up in your blood vessels.
Step 3
Exercise for at least 30 minutes each day. Physical activity increases the blood flow throughout your body, and the Mayo Clinic states that exercise promotes collateral circulation (formation of new blood vessels to bypass blocked vessels).
Step 4
Go to your doctor and obtain a prescription for a cholesterol medication, anti-platelet medication, anticoagulant or blood pressure medication. According to the Mayo Clinic, cholesterol medications such as statins and fibrates lower your low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and increase your high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol). Anti-platelet medications such as aspirin prevent platelets (the substance responsible for blood clot formation) from grouping together in your blood vessels. Anticoagulant medication such as Heparin works to prevent clot formation and thin your blood. Blood pressure medication such as beta blockers control your blood pressure and help control fatty plaque buildup.
Step 5
Schedule an angioplasty, endarterectomy, thrombolytic therapy or bypass surgery with your surgeon. An angioplasty is a procedure that involves using a tube called a catheter to thread a small balloon to your narrowed blood vessel. The balloon is inflated to push the fatty plaques aside and a stent (metal device) holds your artery in place. Endarterectomy involves opening your blood vessel and surgically removing the fatty plaque. Thrombolytic therapy involves inserting a drug to break up a clot in your blood vessel. Bypass surgery involves using another vessel to bypass the blocked one so that blood flow is not compromised.
