Arteriosclerosis Prevention
Almost more important than the treatment of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the blood vessels) is to avoid arteriosclerotic changes in the body. Although there is a natural thickening of the vascular wall that increases steadily with age and cannot be stopped, with an appropriate lifestyle it can be prevented that the vascular lumen narrows even further. Patients with diabetes mellitus must be treated in such a way that their blood sugar level remains as constant as possible.
High blood pressure must be sufficiently adjusted and blood pressure peaks must be avoided. A diet rich in fat and cholesterol should be reduced Smoking is one of the main risk factors for arteriosclerosis. Patients who have recurrent cases of arteriosclerosis in their family belong to the main risk group and should be examined by a doctor as a precautionary measure.
Here, a genetic examination can also be carried out to determine whether a rare hereditary disease with elevated cholesterol levels is the underlying cause. As a general rule, prevention should reduce a stressful life situation. Overweight should also be avoided.
Chronic kidney failure should be avoided, as this promotes the development of arteriosclerotic changes (vascularization). Furthermore, hyperthyroidism should also be avoided. Gout is also considered a risk factor for vascular calcification (arteriosclerosis) and should be avoided or treated as far as possible.
Measures
Nutrition Mediterranean diet Low salt content Less meat and animal fats (except fish) Switch to vegetable fats Lifestyle Abstaining from alcohol Abstaining from nicotine Sports/movement Medications Blood pressure reducers Fat reducers
- Mediterranean diet Low salt diet Less meat and animal fats (except fish) Switch to vegetable fats
- Mediterranean diet
- Low salt
- Less meat and animal fats (except fish)
- Switch to vegetable fats
- Mediterranean diet
- Low salt
- Less meat and animal fats (except fish)
- Switch to vegetable fats
- Lifestyle Abstinence from alcohol Abstinence from nicotine Sport/Movement
- Alcohol renunciation
- Nicotine leave
- Sport/Movement
- Alcohol renunciation
- Nicotine leave
- Sport/Movement
- Drugs Blood pressure reducers Fat reducers
- Blood pressure reducer
- Grease trap
- Blood pressure reducer
- Grease trap
Nutrition
Arteriosclerosis develops with increasing age in every person. However, the time of onset is strongly dependent on how the individual person feeds. This generally includes a balanced diet, which can be achieved, for example, by a Mediterranean diet.
This includes fish and a variety of nuts, especially the healthy fatty acids. In contrast to the saturated fatty acids, which are mainly found in meat, they promote healthy fat metabolism. is important in the prevention of arteriosclerosis.
Salt rich food leads to high blood pressure in the long run. This changes the blood flow in the vessels, and at the same time the walls of the vessels are rebuilt to withstand this blood flow. This leads to increased wall thickening, which in turn promotes plaques (calcium deposits).
Vitamins can also have a preventive effect against arteriosclerosis, among other positive effects on the body. Above all, vitamins C and E as well as beta-carotene have an antioxidant effect. Cells that have a high metabolic activity, such as stressed cells in the vessel walls, release aggressive substances that can weaken and damage other cells.
The antioxidants of vitamins C and E intercept these damaging substances. Instead of causing damage to other cells, they bind to the antioxidant substances of the vitamins. These vitamins can thus prevent the formation of arteriosclerosis.
The vitamin C requirement of an adult is easily met by regular consumption of fruit. Beta-carotene and vitamin E can also be ingested in sufficient quantities through about 250g of vegetables a day. Sport has a preventive effect on arteriosclerosis in many ways.
Physical activity, especially endurance sports, strengthens the entire cardiovascular system. Endurance sports such as cycling, jogging, walking and swimming are much more effective than weight training. In the long term, sport lowers blood pressure and increases the efficiency of the heart.
As a result, a larger amount of blood can be pumped into the circulation with every heartbeat, so the heart rate is also lowered in the long term. In addition, many small new blood vessels are formed, especially in the muscles, which lead to better blood circulation and offer better protection against circulatory disorders caused by arteriosclerosis. People who are often physically active also reduce their risk of suffering from obesity.
As a result, blood lipid values in particular improve, which in turn has a positive effect on the blood vessels. Due to a low cholesterol level, there are fewer plaques that adhere to the walls of the blood vessels, so there is less arteriosclerosis. Relaxation techniques such as yoga are also becoming increasingly important for the risk of arteriosclerosis. Similar to meditation and mindfulness exercises, these sports have a positive effect on the stress level of the body. This lowers blood pressure and heart rate, which in turn has a cardioprotective effect (protecting the cardiovascular system).