Internal tubes called arteries carry nutrients and oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. Though they are initially smooth, plaque buildup can reduce or halt blood flow. Atherosclerosis, the narrowing of arteries due to deposits of fat and cholesterol in what is called plaque, can lead to serious health issues like hypertension, stroke, or heart attack. In this article, we will discuss the survival rate of blocked arteries and the treatment options available.
What causes blocked arteries?
The development of coronary artery disease begins when plaque deposits appear in the inner lining of coronary arteries. This can lead to narrow and rigid blood vessels. Some reasons behind CAD include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, a family history of heart disease, smoking, ageing, and a lack of exercise or physical activity.
Compared to males of similar age, postmenopausal women who have clogged arteries are more likely to get a heart attack. While young women do have heart attacks, in general, women develop atherosclerosis later in life than men and have heart attacks at an older age than men because of the protective effect of oestrogen.
How does the blocked artery in the heart manifest itself?
Arteries don’t become clogged overnight. The blockage may not become noticeable for decades after it occurs. As a matter of fact, a great number of people are unaware of their arteries narrowing until it causes serious issues. Until the blockage obstructs at least 70% of the artery, some people don’t even exhibit symptoms. At this time, people could feel weak, dizzy, sick, sweating, chest pain, or palpitations in their hearts. There could also be a few other symptoms, depending on the location of the blockage. Unfortunately, for some individuals, there are no noticeable symptoms until a stroke occurs, which could be fatal.
How long can you live with blocked arteries?
Well, there is no specific time frame during which a person’s lifespan is affected by artery blockage. The precise effect that this issue may have on life expectancy as a whole is hard to predict. However, atherosclerosis is the main cause of all cardiovascular disease, and the impact of atherosclerosis can be estimated by looking at some of the medical issues that can result from it. Survival depends on prompt intervention, such as receiving clot-busting medications, undergoing procedures like angioplasty with stent placement, or even coronary artery bypass surgery to restore blood flow to the heart muscle.
Medical treatments are available after the blockage is discovered to increase blood flow and prevent further complications. Lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, exercise, and stress management, can help improve quality of life. Cardiac rehabilitation may help tremendously. It involves health education, stress management and emotional support, an exercise programme, and a healthy diet.
Is it possible to reverse clogged arteries?
Yes, it is possible to reverse clogged arteries with the correct alterations to an individual’s lifestyle. According to preliminary studies, altering certain risk factors can actually decrease atherosclerosis. The two key components are a heart-healthy diet that lowers cholesterol and proper exercise. A diet that is rich in plant-based and heart-healthy foods can treat existing plaques and stop new ones from developing. Research states that a low fat, plant-based eating plan can effectively reverse coronary artery disease. This ailment is a typical side effect linked to blocked arteries.
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan is one potential choice. In an effort to help prevent or clear clogged arteries, this diet places a strong emphasis on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while limiting or avoiding sugar, salt, and saturated fat. The DASH diet recommends lean meats, fish, poultry, and low-fat dairy products. Eggs are high in dietary cholesterol, but research is highly inconsistent as to whether they are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Removing particular foods from your diet is not as important as maintaining a healthy diet. Eliminating other risk factors is also beneficial, including quitting smoking and practising healthy stress management. Such changes can extend your life with clogged arteries, even though you won’t likely be able to completely remove plaque deposits.
So regardless of where the blocked arteries are located, the lifespan of those with the condition can vary. A few variables include stress levels, food, lifestyle, heredity, and underlying medical issues. The healthier the individual, the slower their arteries will narrow, and the longer their lifespan will be. Others may only have a few years before the clogged artery causes further complications, including death.
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