Your arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from your heart to other parts of your body, and the health of your arteries directly impacts your heart health. Over time, your arteries can become strained from a buildup of fat, calcium, cholesterol, protein and inflammatory cells. This buildup is called plaque, and as it forms, it narrows your artery walls — sometimes blocking blood flow entirely — resulting in a condition known as atherosclerosis. Clogged arteries make it much more difficult for blood to flow smoothly through your body.
With that in mind, let’s discuss everything you need to know about caring for your arteries.
Symptoms of Unhealthy Arteries
You can’t necessarily feel a clogged artery, but you can get a pulse on your artery health by looking at several lifestyle factors. For example, if you have high cholesterol or high blood pressure, you may be unknowingly hardening your arteries and adding stress on your vascular system.
Other factors that affect your vascular health include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Eating a diet rich in saturated fats
- Leading a highly sedentary life
If these factors feel familiar and you’re concerned about your vascular health, consider whether you experience any of these symptoms:
- Chest pain, pressure, tightness or discomfort
- Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Pain in the jaw, neck, throat or upper abdominal area
- Pain, numbness or weakness in your legs or arms
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your health care provider so they can run tests to determine the root of your health issues.
Risks Associated With Unhealthy Arteries
If atherosclerosis is left untreated, it can lead to several conditions, including:
- Aneurysmal disease: a bulging weakened wall of a blood vessel that results in abnormal widening or “ballooning”
- Carotid artery disease: a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries that send blood to the brain
- Peripheral arterial disease: a buildup of plaque that narrows the arteries in your arms and legs
If you experience any of these conditions, it’s important to seek medical care so you can begin making recommended changes for a healthier life right away — before your condition leads to other serious medical concerns, including:
- Amputation
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Transient ischemic attack
Preventive Measures You Can Take to Support Your Arteries
Although you can’t reverse atherosclerosis once it starts to form, there are many simple steps you can take to help prevent it from getting worse or from starting altogether, including:
- Controlling your blood sugar
- Eating a nutritious, heart-healthy diet full of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean protein
- Engaging in regular physical activity (aim for 30 minutes a day)
- Lowering high cholesterol and high blood pressure
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Managing stress with healthy coping mechanisms
- Staying adequately hydrated
- Quitting smoking
Even if you implement just one or two of these healthy habits to start, you can support your arteries and improve your vascular health.
Putting Our Whole Heart Into Your Health Care
Our cardiovascular specialists support your vascular health and help you feel your best. Learn more about our vascular care at the AdventHealth Heart, Lung and Vascular Institute.
