Atherosclerosis Home Remedies - How to Get Rid of Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a condition in which fatty material collects along the walls of arteries. This fatty material thickens, hardens, and may eventually block the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis. It's the name of the process in which deposits of fatty substances, cholesterol, cellular waste products, calcium and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery. The buildup that results is called plaque. Arteriosclerosis is a general term for the thickening and hardening of arteries. Atherosclerosis can affect the arteries of the brain, heart, kidneys, other vital organs, and the arms and legs. When atherosclerosis develops in the arteries that supply the brain a stroke may occur; when it develops in the arteries that supply the heart (coronary arteries), a heart attack may occur. In the United States and most other Western countries, atherosclerosis is the leading cause of illness and death. In the United States alone, it caused almost 1 million deaths in 1992 twice as many as from cancer and 10 times as many as from accidents. Despite significant medical advances, coronary artery disease and atherosclerotic stroke are responsible for more deaths than all other causes combined. It is a disease of the arterial intima leading to the formation of fibrous plaques and to stenosis/ occlusion of the lumen. It involves the proliferation of smooth muscle cells and the accumulation of lipids. Atherosclerosis affects large and medium-sized arteries. The type of artery and where the plaque develops varies with each person. Atherosclerosis is a slow, progressive disease that may start in childhood. In some people this disease progresses rapidly in their third decade. In others it doesn't become threatening until they're in their 50s or 60s.

Atherosclerosis comes from the Greek words athero and sclerosis (hardness). It is caused by the slow buildup of plaque on the inside of walls of the arteries. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body. Healthy arteries are flexible, strong and elastic. Over time, however, too much pressure in your arteries can make the walls thick and stiff sometimes restricting blood flow to your organs and tissues. There are two types of plaque. Hard plaque causes artery walls to thicken and harden. Soft plaque is more likely to break apart from the walls and enter the bloodstream. This can cause a blood clot that can partially or totally block the flow of blood in the artery. When this happens, the organ supplied by the blocked artery starves for blood and oxygen. The organ's cells may either die or suffer severe damage. Risk factors include dyslipidemia, diabetes, cigarette smoking, family history, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and hypertension. Symptoms develop when growth or rupture of the plaque reduces or obstructs blood flow; symptoms vary by artery affected. Diagnosis is clinical and confirmed by angiography, ultrasonography, or other imaging tests. Treatment includes risk factor and dietary modification, physical activity, and antiplatelet drugs.

Home Remedy for Atherosclerosis

• Anticoagulant drugs have been used to try to minimize secondary clotting and embolus formation.
• Surgical treatment is available for those unresponsive to medical treatment or in certain high-risk situations.
• Vasodilator drugs are helpful in providing symptom relief, but are of no curative value.
• Lifestyle changes
• Medicines
• The blood supply to the heart can also be restored by coronary artery bypass surgery.
• Balloon angioplasty can open up narrowed vessels and promote an improved blood supply.