10 Foods That Keep Your Arteries Clean and Protect You From a Heart Attack

Atherosclerosis, which represents an arterial clogging, is the main cause of cardiovascular diseases. Arteries carry blood, which is rich in oxygen, from the heart to the other organs in the body. They are flexible, strong, and elastic, but they can get hardened if their function worsens.  

The main causes of death are heart attacks and strokes, which affect more than 600.000 people per year.  

Symptoms of clogged arteries 

The symptoms related to clogged arteries vary, depending on what type of arteries is clogged: 

1. Coronary heart disease can affect heart arteries and prevent the proper flow of blood to the heart muscle. It is characterized by angina, pain in the chest, heartbeat, shortness of breath, and pressure in the shoulders and arms.  
2. Carotid artery disease can affect brain arteries that get clogged due to arterial plaque accumulation. It is related to breathing issues, headaches, balance disorders, dizziness, blurry vision, speech issues, confusion, weakness, and paralysis. 
3. Peripheral arterial disease can affect the arteries that go into the legs, arms, and pelvis. It can lead to numbness, infection, and pain.  
4. Chronic kidney disease can affect kidney arteries and lead to nausea, chronic fatigue, reduced appetite, kidney failure, hypertension, concentration issues, numbness, itchiness, stiffness, and swelling.  

Plaque accumulation can thicken, harden, and narrow the arteries and cause atherosclerosis. It is usually an accumulation of fat, cholesterol, toxic metals, calcium, and cellular waste. When the arteries get clogged, blood clotting can lead to death.  

Atherosclerosis is a common health issue. According to experts, the main causes of atherosclerosis are still not known, but factors, such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes, insulin resistance, high levels of triglycerides, exposure to heavy metals, an unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity can affect this condition. Moreover, an unhealthy diet and vitamin deficiency can also aggravate atherosclerosis.  

 

A list of foods that can help treat and prevent clogged arteries 

If you suffer from clogged arteries, here is a list of foods that can help you treat clogged arteries and prevent atherosclerosis.  

1. Garlic 

Garlic is very beneficial for reducing blood pressure and treating clogged arteries. According to studies, garlic can help treat and prevent atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes by 50%.  

2. Sesame seeds 

Consume sesame seeds to unclog arteries and prevent atherosclerosis. It is considered that sesame seeds are rich in fatty acids, which hinder the formation of atherosclerosis lesions and reduce high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.  

3. Turmeric 

Turmeric is beneficial for reducing high cholesterol and preventing plaque accumulation in the arteries. It possesses numerous health benefits. Due to its high content of curcumin, turmeric can treat heart diseases. 

4. Ginger 

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, gingerols and shogaols, compounds found in ginger, can prevent plaque accumulation and reduce the risk of heart diseases. Moreover, they can help unclog arteries and reduce cholesterol levels.  

5. Cinnamon 

Cinnamon is beneficial for treating atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of heart disease. A 2003-study showed that daily consumption of cinnamon can lower high levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, and glucose.  

6. Pomegranate juice 

Pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants and punic acid, which can help unclog arteries, prevent plaque formation, and treat atherosclerosis.  

 7. Lemon 

Lemon can help reduce cholesterol levels and prevent oxidative damage. Due to its high content of vitamin C, lemon can relieve inflammation, reduce high levels of cholesterol, prevent platelet aggregation, and enhance arteries.  

8. Fermented cabbage 

Studies confirmed that fermented cabbage can significantly treat atherosclerosis.  

9. Cayenne pepper 

Cayenne pepper is rich in capsaicin, which is beneficial for heart health. Moreover, it enhances blood circulation, reduces high levels of cholesterol, and lowers the risk of heart attacks and strokes. It can also prevent vascular and pulmonary complications related to HAART drugs.  

10. Ground flaxseeds

Ground flaxseeds are rich in fiber that can unclog arteries. Moreover, flaxseeds contain alpha-linoleic acid, which relieves inflammation and reduces high blood pressure.