Atherosclerosis Prevention Tips For The Middle Aged Person
Take Medications To Reduce Risk
There are several medications doctors may recommend to help certain patients prevent atherosclerosis. Beta-blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors can help lower blood pressure as well as protect the arteries around a patient's heart in other ways. Antiplatelet medications prevent the blood from forming clots that may create blockages in the arteries. Additionally,patients may take medication to treat other illnesses that can lead to atherosclerosis, such as diabetes. If a doctor has asked a patient to take medications to reduce their risk of atherosclerosis, the patient must take these medications exactly as prescribed. They must not increase or decrease the dose without talking to their doctor.
Monitor And Reduce Blood Pressure And Cholesterol
When an individual's blood pressure is too high, blood flows through the arteries with more pressure than their arteries are designed to handle. This can lead to damaged areas where it is easier for plaques to form and create blockages. Cholesterol is a high-fat substance that sticks to the walls of the arteries. When too much cholesterol builds up in an artery, it can block blood flow and lead to conditions such as heart attack and stroke, as wel las atherosclerosis. Many medications are able to help patients regulate their blood pressure and cholesterol.
Patients can also make lifestyle changes to deal with their blood pressure and cholesterol like getting regular exercise and eating healthy, low-fat foods such as grains, fruits, and vegetables. Thus, these elements are clearly even more important than initially discussed when it comes to preventing conditions such as atherosclerosis. Of course, it is important for individuals, particularly those who have had issues with their cholesterol or blood pressure in the past, to closely monitor their levels. Doctors will likely bring this up with their patients when necessary, but patients may also bring it up themselves if they are concerned.
