Any type of artery blockage is a serious concern, especially one that occurs close to the heart. A blocked artery can result in a number of potentially fatal health conditions. Understanding the causes of blocked arteries can help you understand how to manage your health to avoid such a life-threatening situation.Cause of blocked arteriesBlocked arteries are referred to as a condition called atherosclerosis. This condition is caused by low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), which carry cholesterol through the body. When oxidized by free radicals, these proteins damage any artery wall with which they come into contact. Because the body does not know how to heal these lesions completely, scarring occurs. This scarring narrows the artery, forcing the blood to go through at higher pressure. The exact reason that the body cannot fully heal these lesions is little understood, but scientists agree that certain individuals are at higher risk for developing the disorder.Ways to avoid blocked arteriesThe best way to avoid blocked arteries is to live a lifestyle that minimizes damage to the artery walls. This includes keeping blood pressure at normal levels and avoiding situations that may raise it. One should also minimize the amount of free radicals in the body by ingesting foods with antioxidant properties. Finally, people should eat a diet low in saturated fat and sugars and high in vitamins. People should also avoid smoking, which exacerbates atherosclerosis. For a more detailed guide, check out the Mayo Clinic's page here:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/DS00525Many of the risk factors for blocked arteries are caused by poor diet decisions. This can come in the form of nutritional deficiencies, elevated blood sugars, increased lipoproteins and low levels of antioxidants. There are many ways to manage the risk of blocked arteries. Most physicians agree that lifestyle changes are needed for the greatest results. Although there are medications to help alleviate blocked arteries, they are viewed as a last resort when lifestyle modifications fail. It is important to manage your health in a way to reduce the chance for Heart disease, stroke, heart attack and other serious complications.