Atherosclerosis is a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. Plaque, made from fatty deposits, calcium, cellular debris, and blood-clotting materials, can harden and narrow arteries, reducing blood flow and potentially causing a heart attack or stroke.
Genetic factors, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and certain dietary factors can increase your risk of atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries . Food choices play a specific role in preventing heart disease, and reversal of plaque buildup can also occur with aggressive dietary interventions.
However, understanding the specific role of diet in regression can be challenging because people with atherosclerosis are often treated with a synergistic approach of diet, medication, and other lifestyle interventions.
Although diet is known to reduce the risk of hardening of the arteries, less is known about the role of diet in reversing plaque buildup. According to a review published in the January-February 2014 issue of "Annals of Global Health," studies have shown that plaque regression can occur with a dramatic decrease in blood cholesterol or lipoprotein levels .
Effects of weight loss
A study published in the March 2010 issue of "Circulation" randomized 140 participants to a low-fat, Mediterranean, or low-carbohydrate diet. After 2 years, the researchers found that all 3 diet plans were able to reduce the volume of the carotid vessel wall, a measure that reflects the reduction in plaque, by 5 percent.
The study authors attributed the plaque regression to weight loss-induced improvements in blood pressure in study participants, as high blood pressure contributes to atherosclerosis by making the arteries more susceptible to buildup. plate.
Consequences of lifestyle changes
Intensive lifestyle changes have also been shown to reverse plaque buildup. Remarkable research published in the December 1998 issue of "JAMA" demonstrated regression of arterial plaque build-up and fewer cardiac events in participants who closely followed a low-fat vegetarian diet for 5 years.
Improvements were seen after the first year and continued in this small group of people with heart disease who were not taking cholesterol-lowering drugs. In addition to dietary changes, this program included aerobic exercise, stress management training, smoking cessation, and group support.
Additional research published in the July 2014 issue of "The Journal of Family Practice" concluded that a plant-based diet that restricts animal products, oils, and sugars also reduced heart events such as heart attacks. However, this study did not specifically measure whether plaque buildup was reversed, and study participants had no restrictions on taking cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Combined lifestyle and medication effects
In addition to the role of diet, other factors, such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and managing stress , are known to help reduce the risk of heart disease.
However, research investigating solely these plaque reversal measures is not available . Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins have been shown to cause plaque regression, as summarized in the September 2012 issue of "Vascular Health and Risk Management."
As a result, most of the research on reversing atherosclerosis includes the use of statin therapy in conjunction with medications to control conditions that increase the risk of heart disease such as diabetes and high blood pressure, making it difficult to obtain benefits only for diet.
How to prevent the accumulation of arterial plaque?
Although you can't change your family history, making specific diet and lifestyle changes can lower your risk of heart disease, and aggressive enough lifestyle changes have the potential to reverse plaque buildup. Make an appointment with a nutritionist to learn how you can optimize your diet and follow an eating plan aimed at heart disease regression.
Work with your doctor to discuss any other lifestyle changes that benefit your health, and discuss medications that will help manage your health conditions and reduce your risk of heart disease. If you've had a narrowing or blockage of an artery, your doctor may recommend surgery to open the artery or avoid the blocked portion .
Plaque buildup usually doesn't cause symptoms until an artery becomes narrowed or blocked. So if you have a condition that increases your risk for heart disease, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, or if you have a family history of heart disease, see your doctor regularly. If you have symptoms that include chest pain, chest pressure, confusion, paralysis, difficulty speaking or understanding words , call 911 or go to the hospital right away.
