Drugs
In order to prevent arteriosclerosis, two main groups of drugs are used. One is the cholesterol-lowering drugs, which are supposed to reduce blood fat levels and thus prevent calcium deposits (plaques) in the blood vessels. The other is the large group of antihypertensive drugs.
If the blood pressure is too high, the flow velocity in the vessels changes, causing turbulence. In the long term, this leads to structural changes in the vessel walls, which in turn promotes arteriosclerotic plaques. Antihypertensive drugs or water tablets reduce the blood pressure and thus prevent the flow changes and their consequences in terms of arteriosclerosis.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs are primarily used when a lifestyle change, i.e. a change in diet and a regular sports programme, does not achieve the desired results or is (cannot) be carried out sufficiently by affected persons. Thus they serve to reduce the risk of arteriosclerosis after non-drug therapy attempts have been classified as not effective enough. The primary class of cholesterol-lowering drugs used are the so-called statins.
These inhibit the formation of cholesterol in the body and thus lead above all to a lower concentration of the “bad” cholesterol LDL in the blood. These statins are used both for primary prevention, i.e. to prevent the formation of arteriosclerosis, and for secondary prevention, i.e. to reduce the risk of serious damage if arteriosclerosis-associated diseases already exist.
These diseases include peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAD), in which circulatory disorders occur mainly in the legs, and heart diseases such as coronary artery disease. Cholesterol-lowering drugs must not be taken during pregnancy. In addition, as a side effect they can lead to liver and muscle damage.
In this case too, the statins must be discontinued. Various homeopathic remedies can be used to prevent arteriosclerosis: Aurum iodatum and metallicum as well as Barium carbnicum and iodatum are most frequently used in arteriosclerosis. Schüssler salts can also have a preventive effect. These remedies should always be taken in consultation with a homeopath. In addition, an exchange of information between the treating physician and the homeopath responsible is important in order to achieve an optimal therapy.
Home remedy against ateriosclerosis
Those who, in addition to a low-fat Mediterranean diet and sport, would like to work on themselves to prevent arteriosclerosis can fall back on other household remedies. Garlic is said to have a preventive effect, as does the root extract of edelweiss. Regular consumption of fish also has a positive effect on the risk of arteriosclerosis.
Mistletoe and hawthorn preparations have a similar effect to edelweiss. Alternating baths for feet, legs or the whole body can strengthen the vascular system. As in the sauna, the abrupt change between hot and cold is important.
Garlic has a positive influence on the risk of arteriosclerosis through several mechanisms of action. Firstly, garlic prevents the blood platelets from clumping together. It therefore has a blood-thinning effect.
This reduces the risk of arteriosclerosis because fewer blood clots are formed. It can also reduce blood lipids, i.e. cholesterol (especially the bad LDL cholesterol) and triglycerine. At the same time the good cholesterol HDL is increased.
Thus garlic is effective against arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure and heart disease. Alcohol in very small amounts has a positive effect on the risk of arteriosclerosis due to its antioxidants. The substances it contains can virtually trap the breakdown products of certain cells and thus prevent them from damaging vascular walls.
However, this protective effect only applies to the amount of about one glass of red wine per day for men and half a glass of red wine for women. Alcohol consumption that contains a higher amount of alcohol has exactly the opposite effect. The ingredients damage the vessel walls and also have a negative effect on the liver cells.
