Question

Why does plaque form in blood vessels?

Answer 1

Plaques :

1. Blood vessels are channels that convey blood all through our bodies.
2. They structure a closed-loop, similar to a circuit, that starts and finishes at our heart.
3. Atherosclerosis occurs when fat, cholesterol and other substances build up in the walls of arteries.
4. These deposits are called plaques.
5. These plaques can narrow or completely block the arteries over time, causing problems throughout the body.
6. Plaque forms when cholesterol becomes lodged in the artery wall.
7. To defend itself, the body sends white blood cells to trap the cholesterol, which then transforms into foamy cells that ooze more fat and cause more inflammation.
8. This causes the muscle cells lining the artery wall to grow and cover the region in a cap.

Treatment:

1. Lower the level of LDL (low-density lipoprotein):
   1. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) deposits cholesterol into blood vessel walls.
   2. The drugs used most often to reduce LDL cholesterol levels are statins, such as atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor).
   3. Statins inhibit the enzyme in the liver that promotes cholesterol production.

2. Surgical treatment:

1. Similarly, a blocked artery may require surgical treatment.
2. This could involve inserting a tube into the artery to remove the plaque while leaving a stent in place to support the artery walls and increase blood flow.
3. With severe blockages, doctors may perform a surgery called a heart bypass to make sure the blood can get around the obstructed artery.

3. Exercising regularly :

1. Obesity increases the risk of plaque buildup and heart disease.
2. A healthy diet, combined with regular exercise, can help a person lose weight and lower their risk of heart disease.

4. Eating more unsaturated foods:

1. Unsaturated fats are good fats.
2. They contain HDL cholesterol, which can aid in the removal of bad cholesterol from the arteries before it forms plaque.
3. Unsaturated fats are found primarily in plants and fatty fish.
4. Unsaturated fats can be found in avocado, olives, walnuts, some vegetable oils such as sunflower and olive oil, and fatty fish such as trout, herring, and salmon.