Prevent Arterial Plaque: Dietary Strategies for Heart Health

Plaque in the arteries is responsible for many diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack, angina, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. Stopping the progression of plaque in the arteries can be accomplished through diet.
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Things You'll Need

• Fruit
• Vegetables
• Chicken breasts
• Fiber

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Instructions

• 1

  Eat foods that are low in cholesterol and saturated fats to help reduce plaque in your arteries. Reduce your consumption of foods such as bacon, sausage, butter, skins of poultry and whole-fat dairy products and eggs. Substitute lean beef, chicken breasts, low-dairy fat and tofu. Egg whites are permissible; they have no effect on cholesterol.

• 2

  Avoid trans fats, foods that have hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils. Examples are crackers, cookies, breads, cakes, and commercially baked goods. If a package says an item contains hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, don't purchase it.

• 3

  Eat fiber. According to the Mayo Clinic, women should get 21 to 25 grams a day and men should get 31 to 38 grams a day. Foods high in fiber include whole grains, fruits, beans and vegetables

• 4

  Make lifestyle changes such as exercising 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week. Exercising conditions the muscles to use oxygen more efficiently, improve circulation, and create new blood vessels, which form a natural bypass around obstructions.

• 5

  Consult with your physician regarding various drugs that can slow and in some cases reverse the effects of atherosclerosis. Cholesterol medications lower your low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol), which results in a slowing or reverse of the hardening of the arteries. Antiplatelet medications like aspirin reduce the likelihood platelets will clump in narrowed arteries, form blood clots and cause more damage. Anticoagulants such as heparin or warfarin help thin your blood, preventing blood clots. Blood pressure medication such as beta blockers can help slow the progression of hardening of the arteries.