Can you reverse atherosclerosis?

September is Vascular Disease Awareness Month, so we wanted to highlight a common, but little discussed, condition: atherosclerosis.

Heart disease is the second most common cause of death in the UK (and number one for men), and atherosclerosis is one of the major factors that leads to heart disease. Patients are often keen to know what can be done to cure atherosclerosis: can it be reversed? To answer that question, we first need to establish what atherosclerosis is, and what causes it.

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when the lining of the arteries becomes damaged and plaque begins to build up. This causes the arteries to narrow, making it harder for blood to travel through them, which – left untreated – can eventually lead to a heart attack or stroke.

What are the causes of atherosclerosis?

As with any medical condition, the exact causes will vary from patient to patient, and no book or article should be seen as a viable alternative to a medical consultation. Some patients have a genetic predisposal to the condition – if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease or high cholesterol it is definitely worth seeing your GP regularly to monitor your cholesterol levels, among other things.

Some other common causes are:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Very high, or very low, cholesterol
• Physical inactivity

How can atherosclerosis be treated?

So, can this condition be reversed? The good news is that by taking some steps towards a healthier lifestyle, you can prevent further plaque build-up and manage the condition yourself. These steps include:

• Quitting smoking
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet that is low in saturated fats and high in fruits, vegetables and complex carbohydrates
• Maintaining regular physical activity – this doesn’t have to mean running several miles a week, it can be as simple as walking around the block twice a day. Any increase in activity will improve your overall health, and the more you do, the more you will be able to do.

Even if you do not currently have a diagnosis of atherosclerosis, taking these steps will not only help to improve your overall health, but will help to prevent you from developing atherosclerosis in future – and prevention is always better than cure?

What medical interventions are available to treat atherosclerosis?

Depending on the severity of your atherosclerosis, medical treatment may be advised. The standard prescription is statins, a cholesterol medication, while beta blockers can be used to relieve stress on the heart, or blood thinners like aspirin might be prescribed to help the blood flow more freely and prevent clotting.

Additionally, if the cause of your atherosclerosis is diabetes or obesity and you are struggling to make healthy lifestyle changes yourself, weight loss medications like Wegovy may help to make that process easier.

Ultimately, a full and thorough consultation alongside diagnostic testing will determine the best course of treatment for you.

For further information or to book a consultation, please contact us.