Home Remedies and Herbs for Atherosclerosis (Arteriosclerosis)

Atherosclerosis is a chronic condition whereby the arteries that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body become clogged and hardened. If this hardening continues to worsen it could potentially begin to restrict blood flow to your organs and tissues. Over time, the arteries slowly become inflexible and stiff which can lead to a number of other cardiovascular conditions such as heart disease, heart attack and blood clotting.^1,2 Atherosclerosis is a specific type of condition that falls within another condition called arteriosclerosis, but often the two terms are used interchangeably. ² This is a condition found in 80-90% of Americans over the age of 30 years old.¹

What Causes Atherosclerosis?

The hardening of arteries, atherosclerosis, is caused by a buildup of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances. The accumulation of these substances within the arteries causes a plaque to form. The more this plaque builds up in the arteries, the more hardened and clogged the arteries become.¹ The hardening of arteries due to plaque buildup is almost always the result of lifestyle and lifestyle-related health conditions. Here are some of the top atherosclerosis causes:^1,2

• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High levels of LDL (bad cholesterol)
• High triglycerides (a type of fat) in your blood
• Diabetes
• Inflammation
• Overweight and obesity
• Family history of heart disease

In addition to these atherosclerosis causes, there are other atherosclerosis risk factors which include:¹

• Being male
• Females past menopause
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Depression, anxiety and stress
• Obstructive sleep apnea

Atherosclerosis Symptoms

Because it is a condition that develops gradually, there are often not many atherosclerosis symptoms in the beginning. Often times, atherosclerosis symptoms don’t present themselves until an artery is 40% clogged. Depending on the arteries that are clogged, there will be different atherosclerosis symptoms.¹ The primary atherosclerosis symptoms include:

• Atherosclerosis in the heart arteries:
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Abdominal, neck, back and shoulder pain
  • Weakness
  • Perspiration
• Atherosclerosis in the arteries leading to the brain:
  • Weakness on one side of the body
  • Trouble speaking
  • Vision loss
  • Dizziness and loss of balance
• Atherosclerosis in the arm or leg arteries:
  • Hair loss
  • Thickened nails
  • Pain and cramps in leg muscles
  • Cold skin
  • Smooth, shiny skin surface
  • Gangrene

Natural Remedies and Herbs for Atherosclerosis

If you are at risk of developing this condition, there are plenty of atherosclerosis prevention options including atherosclerosis natural treatments. Here are the top atherosclerosis natural cures:

• Garlic - Garlic is an atherosclerosis natural treatment because it can help to lower cholesterol which prevents the arteries from hardening.
• Onion - Like garlic, eating onion can also help reduce the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
• Hawthorn -Hawthorn contains antioxidants which can help to lower cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular disease.
• Khella - Khella is an atherosclerosis natural treatment which may help to lower the buildup of plaque in the arteries.
• Propolis - Propolis is thought the be an atherosclerosis natural cure due to its anti-inflammatory health benefits which may help to protect against hardening arteries.

References

1. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/atherosclerosis
2. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/home/ovc-20167019