The causes of blocked arteries usually include any condition that can make fatty deposits accumulate on the walls of the arteries. These deposits are called plaques and consist of calcium, fat and cholesterol.
When plaque builds up, the passageways narrow, and the arteries become hardened, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood through the body. This can limit blood flow to organs and other parts of the body that need oxygen and nutrients to function effectively. This entire process will result in a condition called arteriosclerosis or other heart problems.
The next question on your mind right now may be, what are the causes of blocked arteries? This is precisely what we will show you in this guide so you can properly care for your health and prevent heart problems.
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8 Causes of Blocked Arteries
Many things can result in blocked arteries, and sometimes it is a combination of different things, so here are 8 possible causes of clogged arteries that you should be mindful of to maintain optimum health.
1. Diet
Foods that are high in cholesterol, trans fat or saturated fat, such as fried foods, red meat, butter, ice cream, cheese, etc., are the main culprits when it comes to clogged arteries. They give your body unhealthy fat and bad cholesterol, which can accumulate in your blood vessels and, with time, clog the arteries. So, to prevent clogged arteries, opt for a healthy diet.
2. Age
Blocked arteries are more common in older people who are 60 and older because, from a young age, plaques start to build up in the arteries, and they usually do not cause problems until they become too much, which occurs in old age. Also, it is natural for cholesterol levels to increase as people age; also, HDL decreases, and LDL increases in postmenopausal women.
3. Diabetes
Studies have shown that both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are potent risk factors for the accelerated development and progression of atherosclerosis; diabetes and arteriosclerosis are linked through several pathological pathways, such as oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, endothelial dysfunction, metabolic abnormalities in carbohydrates, lipids and proteins.
All these abnormalities are involved in diabetes and can quickly progress to atherosclerosis. So, people with diabetes are prone to developing clogged arteries.
4. Smoking
The smoke from cigarettes is also a leading cause of blocked arteries; it increases inflammation, which in turn promotes cholesterol and plaque buildup in the arteries.
Several studies have shown that smoking causes hypertension and can cause or worsen atherosclerosis. High blood pressure places extra strain on the arteries, making them susceptible to cholesterol buildup and stiffness, so people can also go from hypertension to atherosclerosis through smoking.
5. Obesity
Being overweight or obese can lead to increased triglyceride levels and increased risks of heart problems like clogged arteries. Obesity has many abnormalities, such as insulin resistance, abnormal lipid metabolism, endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and adipokine imbalances.
These factors have been found to create a strong link between obesity and blocked arteries because these are some of the things that cause plaque buildup in the arteries.
6. High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure facilitates the development of blocked arteries due to injuries to the endothelium or oxidative stress; it causes an imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals, damaging certain tissues in the body. In an attempt to repair the damage and inflammation that comes with oxidative stress or injuries to the endothelium, the body creates a fibrous material that leads to plaque buildup.
7. Inflammation
Fatty materials accumulate in the lining of the artery wall, even from a young age, but the material is foreign to the body, so it causes inflammation. Then, the arteries try to clear up the inflammation by creating a soft fibrous material over the fatty core and try to repair the tissue. Over time, this material accumulates and forms a plaque, leading to blocked arteries.
8. Genetics
Arteroscleorisis can also be genetic; it can run in families. Your genes determine how much cholesterol your body makes and how fast plaque can build up in your arteries, leading to blocked arteries.
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Blocked or clogged arteries are very common, especially in older adults. It can be a severe health threat, but early detection, diagnosis, and prompt treatment are crucial to ensure the condition doesn’t become complicated.
So, when you notice symptoms of clogged arteries, you need to seek medical help immediately; it is entirely treatable and maintaining some lifestyle changes after getting treated is essential so it doesn’t reoccur.
