Coronary artery occlusion, also called coronary artery disease, occurs when plaques that form in the arteries obstruct the circulation of blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Although it is not a pathology that irreparably puts life at risk, however left unchecked, it can lead to the onset of some rather serious health problems. While you should always see your doctor if you have severe symptoms and pre-existing illnesses, you can also make some healthy changes in your daily life to strengthen your heart and arteries.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Follow a Healthy Diet
Step 1. Eat fish rich in healthy, unsaturated fats
Go to the supermarket, or even the local market, and buy tuna, sardines, salmon, mackerel or herring. When you need to eat these dishes, try grilling or baking them. They have a high content of unsaturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids, substances capable of decreasing the inflammatory processes in the blood vessels and preventing the formation of thrombus in the arteries.
Try to eat at least 85g of these qualities of fish per week
Step 2. Choose a nut mix for a vegetarian alternative
Munch on some almonds - they are known for their monounsaturated fat, fiber, protein and vitamin E content. You can also opt for walnuts as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. To get the most benefits, consume about 3-5 handfuls of nuts per week.
One serving of nuts is the size of a fist
Step 3. Add asparagus to your diet
Buy fresh or frozen asparagus at the grocery store. To vary your vegetable intake in a healthy way, consider steaming, grilling or roasting them in the oven. Try to eat 5 servings a day, which is equivalent to 65g of clean asparagus.
Asparagus is able to alleviate the inflammatory processes affecting the arteries
Step 4. Opt for whole foods instead of refined ones
Choose breads, rolls and other cereal products made with "100% whole wheat" or "whole wheat". Limit or avoid white bread as it doesn't offer many health benefits. Aim to eat 6 servings of whole grains per day.
- One slice of bread is equivalent to one serving of whole grains.
- Whole grains help keep the body in tip top shape and contain a lot of fiber and complex carbohydrates.
Step 5. Cook the lean meat on the grill, grill or oven
When shopping at the grocery store or butcher, choose lean cuts of meat because they contain less fat. Try roasting, baking, grilling, or stir-frying it for various delicious recipes. Aim to eat 8-9 85g servings of lean meat per week to preserve heart health.
- Buy slightly marbled cuts of meat. If there is grease, use kitchen scissors to remove it.
- If you're looking for plant-based protein sources, lentils and beans are great options.
Step 6. Consider low-fat dairy products
Opt for low-fat yogurt and low-fat or low-fat milk. Also, buy dairy products and cheeses made with low-fat or skim milk. As for eggs, limit yourself to 4 egg yolks per week, eat only the egg white or give preference to substitute ingredients in your recipes. Generally try to consume 700ml of milk or yogurt per day.
You can buy egg white and egg substitutes in the supermarket aisle dedicated to this commodity
Step 7. Avoid foods high in saturated fat, added sugar, and sodium
Read the nutrition chart to check the amount of sodium, saturated fat, and sugar added in the products you purchase. Limit saturated fats as much as possible and avoid trans fats altogether. For snacks or other foods, opt for sodium-free or low-sodium varieties.
- Sweets and sodas contain a lot of added sugar, so they are not conducive to heart health.
- Coconut and palm oil are high in saturated fat, so avoid foods made with these ingredients.
- Saturated fat and added sugars should each represent no more than 10% of your daily calorie intake. Ideally, adolescents and adults only consume 2300 mg of sodium per day.
Advise:
if you want to radically change your diet, follow the Mediterranean diet or the so-called DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).
Part 2 of 3: Changing Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Avoid everyday sources of stress
Check your daily and weekly commitments and discover the most stressful aspects of your life. Find ways to eliminate or lessen the most distressing occasions or circumstances that could adversely affect heart health.
For example, if you are stressed by the thought of having to attend social gatherings and events, try to spend more time on yourself over the course of the week
Step 2. Work out 30 minutes, 4-6 times a week
Practice aerobic exercise, such as running, cycling, swimming, jogging, and other activities that increase heart activity. Schedule a timer to monitor your workout and try to exercise at least 4 times a week. If you are overweight, regular exercise will help you lose weight.
Check with your doctor or healthcare professional to find out which sports and activities are right for your lifestyle
Step 3. Reduce your daily alcohol intake
Notice how much alcohol you consume daily or weekly. If you are a man, limit yourself to 2 drinks per day, while if you are a woman, do not exceed 1 drink per day.
If you overdo alcohol, you are at greater risk of gaining weight or suffering from heart failure. Blood pressure may also rise
Step 4. Stop smoking if you are a smoker
Cut back on your weekly cigarette consumption or try to quit altogether. In the long run, smoking damages the artery walls, causing health problems over the years.
Also, if you stop smoking, your good cholesterol (HDL) value could go up
Step 5. Do not take calcium supplements if you are getting enough calcium
Consider how much milk and yogurt you consume on a regular basis. If you follow a balanced diet, you definitely don't have to resort to daily calcium supplementation. When taking supplements, the risk of developing arterial obstruction is higher.
Warning:
always ask your doctor for advice before taking any new supplements or medications.
Part 3 of 3: See Your Doctor
Step 1. Get immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of a heart attack
You do not have to worry excessively because other conditions can also produce symptoms similar to those of a heart attack. However, if you suspect a heart attack, you should get examined right away so that you have a prognosis. Be aware that the recurring symptoms of a heart attack are shoulder or arm pain, shortness of breath, sweating, and tightness in the chest.
Step 2. Get regular checkups
Get annual checkups to make sure you are okay, or go to the doctor whenever he advises you to check on the evolution of a health problem. On these occasions he will measure your blood pressure and prescribe blood tests with complete blood counts to evaluate the values of cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar and make sure that everything is normal. Hence, it will provide you with therapeutic indications that will help keep you healthy.
Step 3. Ask your doctor if you need to take a cholesterol-lowering drug
While dietary changes can help reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol, they are not always effective. In these cases, it does not depend on the patient's lifestyle, but on genetic factors, so the doctor may prescribe a drug to lower it. Get it while following a healthy diet.
- Usually, medications only work if you are on a proper diet, so try to maintain good eating habits.
- Also, ask your doctor if he recommends a dietician to help you develop a nutritional plan based on your dietary needs and preferences.
Step 4. Learn about surgical options if your health is at risk
If the arterial occlusion has reached an advanced stage, your doctor may recommend corrective surgery. Don't worry because you will be anesthetized and you will not feel anything. During the procedure, a small catheter will be introduced into the artery to clear the plaque, and a stent inserted to keep it open. Eventually, the artery will actually be unblocked.
- After the surgery you will need to continue to follow a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle to avoid the risk of the artery becoming occluded again.
- If an artery is severely obstructed, the doctor may decide to perform a coronary bypass through which he creates an artificial bridge that bypasses the obstacle to blood circulation, favoring the resumption of heart activity. However, this is only done in severe cases, so you don't have to worry.
