These two spots are more dangerous! Do this, the "plaques" may shrink or even disappear | Micro Health

In recent years

With the widespread implementation of health check-ups

Many people without any clinical symptoms were diagnosed

Carotid artery plaque

A friend said

Carotid arteries and coronary arteries

These two locations are more dangerous

Once blood vessels are narrowed, it is particularly dangerous

Is this true?

Wu Naqiong

Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Endocrinology and Cardiovascular Metabolism Center

Chief Physician

The appearance of mild plaques is a natural aging phenomenon, just like scale deposited on water pipes over time. However, plaques that grow in the following two places are particularly dangerous if they cause blood vessel stenosis.

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Carotid artery

Carotid artery stenosis is a very common disease among cerebrovascular diseases, and the main cause of its formation is atherosclerosis.

Severe carotid artery stenosis usually has some non-specific symptoms, such as dizziness ; sometimes there will be transient cerebral ischemic attacks or even stroke .

Carotid artery ultrasound examination is an important means of screening for stroke.

People over 40 years old are considered high-risk if they have three or more of the following eight risk factors: high blood pressure, high blood sugar, dyslipidemia, smoking, alcoholism, lack of exercise, overweight, and atrial fibrillation . It is recommended that this group of people go to the hospital for examinations such as carotid artery ultrasound, and if they are confirmed to have a stroke, they should receive timely treatment.

Coronary arteries

The coronary arteries are important blood vessels that provide oxygen and nutrients to the heart. Once they are narrowed due to plaques, heart function may be affected. Long-term this will also increase the risk of thrombosis and myocardial infarction .

People who are prone to coronary artery plaque:

1. The older the population;

2. People with a family history of cardiovascular disease;

3. People suffering from "three highs";

4. People with unhealthy lifestyles, including smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, sitting for long periods of time, etc.

So, is it dangerous?

The degree of narrowing of the blood vessels where the plaque is located is the key to determining whether it is dangerous.

If there is only plaque but no stenosis, it means that the condition is not particularly serious. Generally speaking, when plaque growth causes blood vessel stenosis of more than 50% , it will affect blood flow. At this time, appropriate evaluation and treatment should be started to prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

Plaques in blood vessels can shrink or even disappear

Eight out of ten stroke patients aged 45 and above have carotid artery plaques.

The blood flow at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery is slow and turbulent, and it is the blood vessel most likely to form atherosclerotic plaques. If atherosclerosis is found in the carotid artery, the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular atherosclerosis may be more serious.

If active intervention is carried out when the arterial stenosis does not exceed 50%, the plaque may be reversed or even disappear.

Cholesterol is the main "raw material" for the formation of arterial plaques. If the cholesterol level is reduced by a large enough amount and the level is low enough , the plaques that have already formed may shrink or even disappear.

A foreign study found that if low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was reduced by 53%, plaques in 78% of patients were reversed.

Hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia are all important factors in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques. Under the guidance of a doctor, controlling the "three highs" within a reasonable range will also help control the development of plaques.

4 ways to reduce plaque in your blood vessels

(1) Control total calories: three more and three less

Excessive calorie intake and high-fat food intake have a significant impact on cardiovascular risk.

Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits: It is recommended to eat 500 grams of vegetables and 250 grams of fruits every day, and consume 8 to 10 kinds of vegetables per week. Garlic, broccoli, spinach, carrots, and peas are preferred.

Eat more whole grains: Whole grains, oats, and beans are rich in soluble dietary fiber, which can reduce the amount of cholesterol absorbed by the blood. If you have bad teeth or stomach problems, you can take 10 to 20 grams of superfine wheat bran powder, inulin, etc. every day.

Eat more deep-sea fish: Sardines, salmon, tuna and other deep-sea fish and their fish oil are rich in EPA and DHA, which are important sources of omega-3 fatty acids. It is advisable to eat them two or three times a week, and it is best to steam them.

Eat less high-fat foods: such as fatty meat and animal offal, eat less salt and sugar, strictly control total calories, and avoid being overweight and obese.

(2) Exercise: 150 minutes per week

Exercise is an effective intervention measure for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events. A post hoc analysis showed that patients with greater exercise volume had more obvious plaque regression.

Choose the exercise that suits you, and do it regularly, moderately, and gradually. Generally, moderate-intensity aerobic exercise is appropriate, about 30 to 50 minutes each time, 3 to 5 times a week.

(3) Quitting smoking: reducing the atherosclerosis index

Smoking is a risk factor for ischemic events, subclinical atherosclerosis, and coronary artery calcification, and the atherosclerosis index decreases with longer smoking cessation time.

In daily life, try not to smoke and stay away from secondhand smoke.

(4) Medication: Lowering the “three highs”

If after lifestyle intervention, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, blood sugar, etc. are still not up to standard, or if you already have atherosclerotic disease, you must follow the doctor's advice and take medication.