Eating too much of certain foods can harm you blood vessels and cause dangerous blockages. In healthy arteries, ample interior space allows for normal volumes of blood to flow throughout your body to maintain cellular metabolism. When sodium or solid fats cause blood volume or blood pressure to increase or arteries to narrow, residue can build and bleeding and clotting can occur, effectively blocking your arteries. Blood flow may steadily decrease, causing organ failure, heart attack or stroke. To reduce your health risks, keep your weight in check and limit foods that may lead to blocked arteries.
High-Calorie Foods
Soda, alcohol and refined grain foods, such as white bread, may contribute to arterial blockage. Being overweight puts stress on your blood vessels, and too many high-calorie foods can cause weight gain. Many foods that are high in sodium and solid fats are also high in calories, which can cause you to gain weight, a major risk factor for atherosclerosis, or blocked arteries. Avoid refined grains and sugar-sweetened and alcoholic beverages to help manage or reduce your weight.
Foods High in Sodium
Many fast foods and other commercially processed foods and shellfish, including submarine sandwiches, canned vegetables and crab, have high sodium content. The greater your sodium intake, the greater your blood pressure can be. Sodium intake is also linked to calorie intake, so reducing the amount of salty foods that you consume can help to control two risk factors for blocked arteries: your weight and your blood pressure. Other high-sodium foods include cured meats, cheeses, soy sauce and other condiments.
Fatty Foods
The saturated and trans fats in foods such as fatty cuts of meat, whole milk and stick margarine can raise your low-density lipoprotein, or bad, blood cholesterol, another risk factor for blocked arteries. Milkshakes, beef and pork ribs and hamburgers are all rich in saturated fat. Commercial fried and baked goods, such as doughnuts and cookies, as well as solid margarine, may contain trans fats.
High-Cholesterol Foods
The dietary cholesterol in large amounts in eggs, shellfish and fatty meats also raises your LDL blood cholesterol, encouraging arterial blockage. Liver, shrimp and fried chicken are among high-cholesterol foods that can harm your health.
