Plaque in your heart arteries (atherosclerosis) generally can't completely disappear, but aggressive lifestyle changes and medical treatments, like statins, can significantly slow its growth, stabilize it, and even reduce its size, preventing heart attacks and strokes. Key steps involve a heart-healthy diet (Mediterranean), regular exercise, quitting smoking, managing stress, maintaining a healthy weight, and taking prescribed medications to control cholesterol and blood pressure.
"Unfortunately, plaque buildup cannot be fully reversed," says Dr. Rozo. It's a reality that emphasizes the importance of preventing atherosclerosis in the first place. But while existing deposits may not be reversible, effective management of coronary artery disease can help prevent further plaque buildup.
As we have previously mentioned, there is no definite time for a person's lifespan with blocked arteries or coronary artery calcification. You can work to live longer by practicing healthy lifestyle changes and religiously sticking with your medical treatment.
If atherosclerosis is in the arteries leading to your brain, you may feel symptoms of atherosclerosis that are similar to stroke, such as a sudden numbness or weakness in your arms or legs; difficulty speaking or slurred speech; sudden changes in eyesight, dizziness, sudden and severe headache; or drooping muscles in ...
Exercise Regularly
Physical workout is the foundation of non-surgical heart blockage treatment. Plan to start aerobic activities such as brisk walking, swimming, and cycling at least 2-3 hours a week. Add resistance training to your routine to strengthen the heart and muscles.
In addition to chest pain, symptoms of a clogged artery may include:
In the early stages, your heart-related screening tests, like cholesterol checks, might still come back normal. But over the years, this problem tends to slowly get worse. By the age of 40, about half of us have cholesterol deposits in our arteries, Sorrentino says. After 45, men may have a lot of plaque buildup.
Here are five signs of heart trouble you need to get checked out:
“Long-term—or chronic—stress can cause higher levels of inflammation in the body that contribute to increases in plaque buildup in the arteries—and that can lead to such problems as coronary artery disease,” says Dr. Lampert.
Unfortunately, plaque buildup in your arteries is a natural part of living. Even children and adolescents have early evidence of the process. However, diet and other lifestyle factors play an important role. High blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol, and smoking can all worsen atherosclerosis.
Results show that managing the condition with beta blockers, calcium blockers, statins, aspirin therapy, and forms of nitroglycerin can allow more patients to avoid common and invasive bypass or stent procedures.
Some plaques are prone to cracking and forming irregular surfaces on the artery wall. The body reacts as it does to an injury. It sends blood cells that help the clotting process to the area. The result can be a large clot that blocks or slows blood flow to the brain, causing a stroke.
Applying statins to control cholesterol is one of the most important preventive measures. Studies have found that taking statins caused plaque regression[24,25], but it took at least two years[26].
Symptoms of Calcium Build-Up
Colchicine acts on many anti-inflammatory pathways, which translates to cardiovascular event reduction, plaque transformation, and plaque reduction. With the FDA's 2023 approval of colchicine for reducing cardiovascular events, a novel clinical pathway opens.
Eat plant strong - Eat greens, beans, vibrant colors (fruits and vegetables), whole grains, nuts and seeds. Walk away from the Standard American Diet (SAD) and toward a whole-food, plant-based diet.
Numbness and tingling: Yes. Narrowed arteries caused by high cholesterol can restrict blood flow to the arms, legs, hands, or feet, leading to these sensations. Joint pain: Indirectly. High cholesterol contributes to inflammation, which may worsen existing joint discomfort, especially in patients with arthritis.
Chest discomfort or pain that lasts more than 15 minutes and does not improve with nitroglycerin or rest. It is important to monitor your weight. Weight gain is the first sign that your heart failure may be getting worse. Patients can gain up to 10 pounds of “extra” weight from fluid before feeling bad or swelling.
Other signs you may have atherosclerosis (blocked arteries)
McMaster-led study shows hidden fat contributes to artery damage, regardless of body weight. Hamilton, ON — October 17, 2025) — A new study led by researchers at McMaster University reveals that hidden fat deep inside the abdomen and liver may quietly damage arteries, even in people who appear healthy.
Among foods that contribute to clogged arteries are:
Signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction include:
Can You Exercise with Blocked Arteries? Generally, exercises are recommended for individuals to ensure healthy blood circulation, thus preventing heart problems. However, according to Physics of Fluids, exercises can increase heart rate, which could increase the risk of stroke in people with carotid artery stenosis.