Healthy arteries are elastic and flexible which may become hard and stiff over time and misuse. Hardening of your arteries is called arteriosclerosis.
The job of your blood vessels (arteries) is to carry oxygen and other nutrients to the body though blood pumped by the heart. Arteriosclerosis (hardening of arteries) restricts blood flow to the organs and tissues.
Your health risks are seriously increased when build up of fatty plaque and cholesterol, in addition to already hardened arteries begins. It leads to atherosclerosis which can be life threatening.
Lifestyle changes and other home remedies can prevent and reverse arteriosclerosis.
Medicines used for treating the underlying causes such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure can be reduced or eliminated over a period of time if these changes are done and disciplined is maintained. However, any reduction or change in the medication should be done under the supervision of a qualified medical practitioner.
Not treating arteriosclerosis in time can soon cause atherosclerosis which can increase cardiovascular diseases leading to stroke and heart attacks.
Lifestyle Changes
Exercise Daily
Daily exercise improves blood circulation. This improved blood circulation will do two important changes in your circulation systems over time. One, it will open up new blood vessels that will act as a bypass to the hardened arteries.Two, it will strengthen the muscles around blood vessels to improve blood flow through the hardened arteries.
As a result, your blood pressure will fall which is one of the main causes of hardening of arteries. Good regular exercise reduces your chances of developing diabetes which could also increase hardening of arteries and other complications in the other organs of the body such as kidneys, eyes and skin.
You can have a 45 minutes of brisk walk as your regular exercise. If you can't get specific time for such walking, walk whenever you can walk. Do not take your car or hire a taxi for a short distance. Just walk. Climb stairs instead of using elevators.
These very simple lifestyle changes can have a significant improvement in arteriosclerosis.
Eat Healthy Food
Food is one of the main causes of increasing cholesterol that adheres to your arteries as plaque and causes atherosclerosis which is more severe form of arteriosclerosis.
It is not very difficult to change food habits if your mind's made up to change. Stop eating fatty junk foods and replace it with healthy fruits, vegetables, nuts and whole grains.
Stop using refined carbohydrates and sugar. Go slow on your sodium intake. Replace white bread with whole grain bread.
Once you begin these changes, you will like them because you will begin to feel better. This will greatly reduce your arteriosclerosis progression and may even reverse it.
Lose Weight
You always wanted to look slim but never tried hard to reduce your weight. Now arteriosclerosis is pushing you to reduce weight. Just do it.
Weight reduction will reduce your blood pressure and risk of diabetes both of which in term will reduce progression of arteriosclerosis.
If you are already taking care of the above 2 points of daily exercise and eating good food then you are already on the way to lose weight. Just expedite it.
If you been overeating, stop eating too much. You may also have to do a little more than just 45 minutes of brisk walk to lose weight. Do everything that helps your to reduce weight. You will not only look slim but will be more fit and your arteriosclerosis progression will stop and reverse.
Deal With Stress
Stress is a big contributor to hardening of blood vessels. Stress increases your blood pressure. Learn to reduce stress.
Learn to enjoy what you do. Learn relaxation techniques. get involved in yoga and meditation. Play will your kids, enjoy the moments with your family and at your work.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is not only bad for your lungs but also for your arteries. There is strong evidence of arteriosclerosis progression with smoking.
Avoid both active and passive smoking.
If you are a smoker, stop smoking. It will not only heal you to deal with arteriosclerosis but will also make your family happy. You will not stink of tobacco and smoke anymore.
If you do not like the smoky atmosphere in a party but were forced to stay there, just get out of such an environment. it will benefit you in the long run.
These changes in lifestyle are not simply good for arteriosclerosis, but will also improve your overall health and quality of life.
5 Home Remedies to Deal With Arteriosclerosis
Following are some food items from your kitchen than can help you to treat your arteriosclerosis
1. Garlic
Garlic has been used as a home remedy for heart health. It is regular spice in the daily meals in many cultures around the world. It has been used to treat heart related problems and can be consumed raw or in the capsule forms.
Many research studies have found garlic giving benefits to reduce arteriosclerosis. According to a research study in 1997[ 1 ] Garlic indirectly affects atherosclerosis by reduction of hyperglycemia, hypertension, diabetes and also prevents thrombus formation to reduce the risks of heart failure.
So, if you already are not using garlic in you diet, add it now. Buy garlic capsules and consume them under your doctors monitoring. If you can, then eat garlic raw clove daily.
1. Cayenne Pepper
Eating cayenne pepper can unclog your arteries [ 2 ] An active compound called capsaicin does the job of clearing plaque from arteries.
Capsaicin is the compound that makes the cayenne pepper spicy and hot giving burning sensation to the skin. It has many other benefits for pain relief and helps weight loss. It is a good 1 inflammation and itching.
You can eat raw cayenne pepper rolled in a bread. It requires guts to eat it but one 2 inches of cayenne pepper daily will have many positive effects including management of arteriosclerosis.
3. Onions
Onions are even more common food items in the kitchen then the garlic around the world. Both onions and garlic have been recognized as protective against cardiovascular disease for a long time.
Onion has a compound which decreases the blood clotting. Garlic also has it. Therefore, if garlic and onions are consumed when butter or other fat material is consumed then the ill effect of high cholesterol from the butter is significantly reduced and the serum blood cholesterol doesn't increase, indirectly reducing arteriosclerosis.
Eating raw onion is recommended as the onion loses its useful compounds in any other form. Add it to your daily salads.
4. Ginger
Ginger is a very good home remedy arteriosclerosis. According to a 2000 study [ 3 ],Ginger extract consumption reduces plasma cholesterol, inhibits LDL oxidation and attenuates development of atherosclerosis.
Make ginger tea and drink it daily. You can make the brew tasty and part of your daily life as under
- Cut an inch of ginger root. peel and crush
- Add the crushed ginger to a pot of boiling water with 250ml water.
- Let it steep fro 10 minutes
- Strain the liquid in a cup
- Add a teaspoon of honey and stir it well
- Let it cool down to an acceptable temperature and sip it warm
Ginger has so many other benefits too. it is widely used as sinus remedy and for curing common colds and cough.
5. Turmeric
Turmeric has been used as a home cure for many conditions. Turmeric contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities.
A 1999 study on effect of turmeric on atherosclerosis [ 4 ]indicates that an active compound curcumin in the turmeric helps reduce LDL and triglycerides. This directly has a positive impact on the progression of arteriosclerosis.
Add turmeric to your daily food intake.