Atherosclerosis Treatment: Lifestyle, Medications & Natural Options

Atherosclerosis treatment includes lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, reducing stress, and maintaining a healthy weight. These changes can help control factors that contribute to atherosclerosis.

When lifestyle changes alone are not enough, a cardiologist may prescribe medications to lower cholesterol, control high blood pressure, or manage diabetes. These conditions are risk factors for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

Atherosclerosis occurs when fatty deposits build up in the walls of the arteries, forming plaques that can restrict blood flow. This can lead to complications such as stroke, heart attack, or arrhythmias.

Main treatments

The main treatments for atherosclerosis include:

1. Following a healthy diet

Following a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of atherosclerosis treatment. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, fish, whole grains, and olive oil provide fiber and healthy fats that can help reduce fat buildup in the blood vessels.

The Mediterranean diet is one dietary approach that may help with atherosclerosis treatment. It focuses on natural foods while limiting highly processed foods.

It is also important to avoid consuming too much salt and added sugar.

Ideally, a registered dietitian should be consulted to develop an individualized diet based on nutritional needs.

2. Exercising regularly

Regular physical activity, as recommended by a cardiologist, is also an important part of atherosclerosis treatment. Exercise can help control risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, overweight, and obesity.

Physical activity can also support weight loss, help prevent fat from building up in the arteries, promote healthy blood vessels, and improve blood circulation.

According to the American Heart Association, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, with additional benefits from increasing activity to 300 minutes per week.

3. Maintaining a healthy weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is important for atherosclerosis treatment because it can help manage blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, reducing the risk of coronary heart disease.

To estimate a healthy weight range, enter your details in the calculator below:

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This calculator is intended for general guidance only. It cannot provide a diagnosis or replace a consultation with a cardiologist or other healthcare provider.

4. Limiting alcohol

Avoiding frequent or excessive alcohol consumption can also help reduce cardiovascular risk. Excessive alcohol intake can increase blood pressure and make the heart work harder.

Alcohol should therefore be avoided as much as possible or consumed in moderation.

5. Quitting smoking

Smoking damages blood vessels and interferes with their normal function. It can also constrict blood vessels, increase blood clotting and LDL cholesterol, and decrease HDL cholesterol.

According to the CDC, smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular conditions including atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.

Quitting smoking provides health benefits that begin soon after stopping and continue over time.

6. Reducing stress

Anxiety and stress can increase levels of hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. These hormones can increase heart rate and constrict blood vessels, raising blood pressure, which is a risk factor for atherosclerosis.

When stress continues over time, blood pressure may remain elevated. This can make treatment more difficult and increase the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as heart attack and stroke.

Regular exercise, meditation, yoga, and hobbies may help reduce stress.

In more severe cases, psychotherapy or evaluation by a psychiatrist may also be recommended.

7. Taking medications

Medications used to help slow the progression of atherosclerosis should be prescribed by a cardiologist after evaluating test results, overall health, and lifestyle.

Some medications that may be used to help manage atherosclerosis and its risk factors include:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: help lower blood pressure and protect the heart and kidneys

• Antiplatelet medications: such as aspirin, may be prescribed to help prevent blood clots from forming in the arteries

• Beta-blockers: reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure

• Calcium channel blockers: relax the arteries, lower blood pressure, and reduce strain on the heart

• Diuretics: help lower blood pressure by removing excess fluid from the body and may also be used to treat heart failure

• Nitrates: help relieve chest pain and improve blood flow to the heart

• Statins: help lower cholesterol

It is important to take these medications exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider, including the recommended dose and schedule.

Medication should also be combined with recommended lifestyle and dietary changes to help reduce the risk of complications from atherosclerosis.

8. Surgery

In some cases, a procedure or surgery may be necessary to restore blood flow through an artery that has become significantly narrowed or blocked.

The type of procedure used depends on the technique required, the location of the blockage, and the severity of the disease.

Cardiac catheterization may be performed by inserting a thin tube called a catheter into a blood vessel and guiding it toward the heart to evaluate or treat a blocked coronary artery.

Angioplasty with stent placement may also be performed. During this procedure, a doctor places a small device called a stent in the narrowed or blocked part of the artery to help keep it open and improve blood flow.

Another surgery used for coronary atherosclerosis is coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). During this procedure, a surgeon uses a healthy blood vessel from another part of the body to create a new route for blood to flow around the blocked coronary artery. Read more about bypass surgery and what to expect.

Natural treatment options

Foods containing omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish and flaxseed, can be included as part of a healthy diet for people with atherosclerosis. Turmeric, which contains curcumin, can also be consumed as a food or spice.

Omega-3 and curcumin supplements are not FDA-approved treatments for atherosclerosis and should not replace treatment recommended by a healthcare provider.

Signs of improvement

Atherosclerosis treatment may include medications and lifestyle changes. Following the recommended treatment can help improve physical capacity, reduce fatigue and stress, and support healthy weight management.

Signs of worsening

Atherosclerosis often does not cause symptoms. However, symptoms can develop if an artery becomes severely narrowed or completely blocked, and they vary depending on which artery is affected and the complication that develops.

If blood flow through an artery supplying the heart is interrupted, a heart attack can occur. Possible signs include chest pain or pressure, discomfort or tingling in the arm, and feeling unwell.

If an artery supplying the brain is affected, signs can include difficulty speaking, facial drooping, or vision problems. In these cases, emergency medical care should be sought immediately.