Yes, you can live with one blocked artery, often for a long time, with appropriate medical management like medication, lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, quitting smoking), and sometimes minimally invasive procedures (stents) or bypass surgery, though the specific artery's location and blockage severity (e.g., the vital Left Main artery) greatly impact risk, requiring prompt treatment for serious blockages to prevent heart attack or stroke.
You can live a long time with blocked arteries with appropriate management. They can often be treated without surgery, using minimally invasive procedures as well as medicine.
Other signs you may have atherosclerosis (blocked arteries)
We use the most-advanced tools and technology to treat challenging blockages, including atherectomy, which uses a small tool to cut through blockages; excimer laser coronary angioplasty, which uses laser mechanisms to break up plaque; and intravascular lithotripsy, which uses shock waves to treat the most-resistant ...
Among foods that contribute to clogged arteries are:
Cholesterol deposits, or plaques, are almost always to blame. These buildups narrow your arteries, decreasing blood flow to your heart. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath or even a heart attack.
Cardiologists generally advise avoiding processed meats, sugary drinks and sweets, and foods high in trans fats and sodium, like most fried foods and salty snacks, because they raise bad cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammation, significantly increasing heart disease risk. Focusing on whole foods and limiting these culprits is key for heart health.
Through angioplasty, our cardiologists are able to treat patients with blocked or clogged coronary arteries quickly without surgery. During the procedure, a cardiologist threads a balloon-tipped catheter to the site of the narrowed or blocked artery and then inflates the balloon to open the vessel.
Studies show artery blockage gets worse with age. After 40, the risk of significant blockage increases. By the 60s, many people have some blockage. From the 20s to the 60s, plaque buildup increases gradually.
Signs and symptoms of intestinal obstruction include:
The symptoms of an artery blockage include chest pain and tightness, and shortness of breath. Imagine driving through a tunnel.
Here are 15 foods that may help prevent clogged arteries.
Coronary arteries with severe blockages, up to 99%, can often be treated with traditional stenting procedure. Once an artery becomes 100% blocked, it is considered a coronary chronic total occlusion, or CTO. Specialized equipment, techniques and physician training are required to open the artery with a stent.
A tiny balloon on a thin tube, called a catheter, is used to widen a clogged artery and improve blood flow. A small wire mesh tube called a stent may be placed to keep the artery open. Most stents are coated with medicine that helps keep the artery open. This treatment also is called percutaneous coronary intervention.
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.
Lower back pain: The arteries leading to the lower back are among the first in the body to accumulate plaque and show signs of blockage. In fact, 10 percent of Americans already experience advanced blockages in these arteries by age 20.
“Smoking is one of the most harmful things people can do to themselves,” Dr. Maniar says. Blood flow drops, slashing oxygen that fuels the heart, which compensates by spiking blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and can lead to hardened and narrowed arteries and blood clots causing cardiovascular disease.
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.
Restenosis is even more likely to occur when you don't get a stent. About 4 in 10 people who undergo balloon angioplasty without stenting experience restenosis.
Skali emphasizes that regular exercise isn't just for those who are looking to prevent heart problems. It can help people whose heart muscle is already damaged. Although exercise can't clear existing plaque from clogged arteries, it can help prevent further accumulation.
"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.
Official Statements from Cardiology Organizations. The American Heart Association says to eat foods like blueberries. They are full of antioxidants. A diet rich in fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins can lower heart disease risk.
A buildup of fatty substances in the arteries, called atherosclerosis, is the most common cause of coronary artery disease. Risk factors include an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, obesity, and smoking. Healthy-lifestyle choices can help lower the risk of atherosclerosis.
Heart-healthy drinks (other than water)