These patients had no history of supply blood to the brain, neck, and face. These include: Taken together, all these steps can help lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke, Nissen says. A study from 2011 found that drinking 6 cups of rooibos tea per day for 6 weeks helped to lower the amount of LDL cholesterol in the blood in adults who were at risk for heart diseases. This article lists 15 foods that may help prevent it. Get your hearing checked today. Grass-fed beef. Talk with a doctor about the next steps that are most important for your situation. So what can you do to make your heart healthier than it [] As long as those blood vessels are clear and open, blood can flow freely. Pycnogenol(R) and Centella asiatica to prevent asymptomatic atherosclerosis progression in clinical events. Millions of Americans have coronary artery disease caused by plaque buildup in their blood vessels. Gregg Fonarow, MD, co-director, UCLA Preventative Cardiology Program, David Geffen School of Medicine; spokesperson, American Heart Association. This means I have a genetic predisposition for diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. Olive oil, avocado, and nuts are healthy options. Chin Med J (Engl). Ketamine for treatment-resistant depression: When and where is it safe? Endarterectomy. Inflammation starts when your immune system targets the plaque between the intima and media layers. First, I should have focused more on my dietary high-glycemic carbs. These atherosclerotic subjects were treated with similar interventions as the studies already discussed. Managing Your Cholesterol can also help you work with your doctor to individualize your treatment. Aortic calcification is often caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque in the arteries. Atherosclerosis: Causes and risk factors. Taking part in cardiovascular exercise, otherwise known as cardio, on a regular basis may also help strengthen the heart and reduce plaque. Current treatments for plaque and hardened arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, can slow but not improve the disease. It directly damages the arteries and can make fatty deposits grow faster and become larger. The arteries are types of blood vessels. Lancet. The other popular vehicle is HDL, high-density lipoprotein, the good cholesterol.. In addition to new published studies, a cardiologist observes reduced arterial plaque in patients taking two plant extracts. Ratings based on results of the 2023 ConsumerLab.com Survey of Supplement Users. When added to standard diet, exercise, and lifestyle counselling, these two plant extracts improved plaque stability and reduced size and numbers of arterial plaques.1, The study involved 50 patients with plaque in the carotid arteries, which A 2011 review reported that green tea and its extracts could lower LDL cholesterol in the blood, though this did not affect HDL cholesterol. Increase your intake of healthy fats. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. This mix can stick to the walls of the arteries, making these blood vessels narrower. Trans fatty acids a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A low-intensity statin is designed to lower LDL by 30%. Take time to relax each day, and seek help from a therapist if you need help coping with issues you might face in your everyday life. Doctors prescribe them for adults at a higher risk of developing a stroke or coronary artery disease. Four foods that could reverse plaque in arteries are discussed here. Want to reduce your risk of dementia? "If we have a 30% blockage in the artery from soft plaque, the goal is to try to suck out the cholesterol from the inside, so the plaque shrivels down to 15% and leaves nothing inside it," says Dr. Cannon. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. Larger plaques can block blood flow. All groups received diet, exercise, and lifestyle advice along with anti-platelet medication and low-dose statin. Its been shown to significantly lower LDL levels, and with it, some of the plaque associated with coronary artery disease, Fonarow says. They do this by decreasing the amount of fluid fat inside plaque, by stabilizing the covering over it, and by calming inflammation. With a plan, it can reverse plaque buildup in your arteries! "Shrinking plaques with strong statins has been seen when you get LDL below 70 (mg/dL)," says Dr. Cannon. After seeing too many preventable heart attacks, he went to Johns Hopkins to learn Preventive Medicine. All rights reserved. The American Heart Association diet and lifestyle recommendations. Is this something I can have cured or get rid of, or is keeping it from getting worse the best I can do? If blood can't get to these areas, tissue damage (and eventually tissue death) can occur. Take stress test as an examplea, Contrary to popular notion, heart attacks and strokes are not about excessive plaque build-up or severely narrowed arteries. Heres how plaque progression looks like. [10] This eventually leads to atherosclerosis. According to the AHA, smoking is a major risk factor. This property of the intima can be measured with a blood test called MACR or microalbumin creatinine ratio.. One possible option is the dietary approach to stop hypertension (DASH) eating plan, which emphasizes eating vegetables, fruits, and whole grains while limiting saturated fat, sugar, and salt. Plaque forms when cholesterol (above, in yellow) lodges in the wall of the artery. Last medically reviewed on September 25, 2022. The widow-maker is a massive heart attack that occurs when the left anterior descending artery (LAD) is totally or almost completely blocked. We include products we think are useful for our readers. These cells release enzymes meant to digest and dissolve the plaque, turning any solid plaque into liquefied or hot plaque. Direct your efforts toward decreasing your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and increasing your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels. Here are some additional tips that may help you prevent plaque buildup. Making lifestyle changes and taking medications as prescribed could also reduce plaque buildup. For example, atherosclerosis is most common in your 60s and 70s. Learn about tips for having a heart-healthy diet and what the research says about the effects of alcohol, calcium, sugar, and caffeine on your heart. Sign up now and get a FREE copy of theBest Diets for Cognitive Fitness. Our goal is to keep you alive and healthy, even if your coronary artery disease doesnt fully reverse. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. According to a 2020 commentary and review of earlier studies, researchers noted that reversing atherosclerosis is only achievable if all major risk factors are controlled. Green tea intake lowers fasting serum total and LDL cholesterol in adults: A meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled trials. by Ford Brewer | Feb 19, 2020 | Inflammation, Plaque, Prediabetes & Diabetes. Some medical treatments are available to help clear the arteries, but they are invasive. All subjects received standard diet, exercise, and lifestyle counselling and took 100 mg/day of aspirin. Get your hearing checked today. All rights reserved. All groups received standard diet, exercise, and lifestyle counselling. That can be very hard to stick to, says Fonarow. Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. Depending on the location and severity of the blocked artery, some of the possible complications can include: Plaque buildup in your arteries may cause them to become clogged. Not everyone understands English, especially with my Southern US drawl. So far, its the only thing that has a widespread effect on cholesterol values. According to the AHA, unsaturated fats may help improve blood cholesterol when eaten instead of trans or saturated fats. Obesity is a risk factor for plaque buildup and heart disease. Selenium can be removed from drinking water by one of several different methods, including reverse osmosis, distillation, strong base anion exchange filtering, and activated alumina adsorption. Ginger supplementation may also improve significant markers that can lead to cardiovascular events, according to a 2016 study. They contain HDL cholesterol, which can help to take bad cholesterol from the arteries before it turns into plaque. Proton-pump inhibitors: Should I still be taking this medication? A procedure may be necessary to prevent complications. Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School. A doctor may recommend a specific exercise routine to fit an individual, based on various lifestyle factor. The CDC also recommends 2 days per week of muscle-strengthening activities that target all muscle groups. Can lifestyle changes reverse coronary heart disease? Reversing plaque buildup. If you have the gumption to make major changes to your lifestyle, you can, indeed, reverse coronary artery disease. You can unclog your arteries with natural methods, including diet, exercise, and stress management. Its never too late to eat a healthier diet. Back to my CIMT result in 2015, I found out that I had 73 years worth of plaque in my artery wall. Eat leaner cuts of meat. This fact was researched recently by Brad Bale (a mentor and a friend), along with Amy Doneen and David Vigerust. PLUS, the latest news on medical advances and breakthroughs from Harvard Medical School experts. This will be especially helpful for a person who is at risk of a plaque buildup or atherosclerosis. No side effects or tolerability problems were observed with the plant extracts. I didnt know about my. Although they didnt have angina or shortness of breath, the calcification in their arteries indicated progressive atherosclerosis. These cells release enzymes meant to digest and dissolve the plaque, turning any solid plaque into liquefied or hot plaque. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Dr. Cannon recommends that you: Why you can't live without this tricky substance. A persons arteries can become clogged by a buildup of a substance called plaque. Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. I use the carotid intima-media thickness (ultrasound) test to identify and track carotid plaque status. Heres a screenshot of different levels of plaque from the, As you can see above, different levels of plaque deposits yield various levels of occlusion or blockage of blood flow. You can unclog arteries through the above lifestyle changes, such as eating a heart-healthy diet, exercising, and quitting smoking, if you smoke. Enable collaborative features and customize widget: An error on our end has caused the item you were trying to add to your cart to fail, please try again or call, Chemistry Panel & Complete Blood Count (CBC), https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronary-artery-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350613, Reversal of Calcification and Atherosclerosis, This combination of plant extracts may reverse the progression of. (2021). Can Drinking Alcohol Affect Your Cholesterol Levels? Effects of rooibos (. Can atherosclerosis be cured? This clot (shown as the black thing in the image below) could break off, go to the heart, cause a heart attack, and may kill the patient. To protect yourself, youll need to stay on top of your diet and exercise and take your medications every day, says Fonarow. The process usually speeds up after the age of 30. Plus, get a FREE copy of the Best Diets for Cognitive Fitness. You get these medications as a shot every 2-4 weeks. Sometimes, surgery is needed to remove plaque from the walls of a narrowed artery. Energy-boosting coffee alternatives: What to know. According to a 2020 study, researchers noted stabilization of existing plaques in people with atherosclerosis and stable angina within 30 days of taking medications for high cholesterol. Causes of Plaque. In arteries that have inflammation, LDL particles lose the ability to pass through the media layer. 2023 by The President and Fellows of Harvard College, Do not sell my personal information | Privacy Policy. When this happens, it is called atherosclerosis. The American Heart Association recommends a diet thats rich in: You should also limit saturated fat, sodium, red meat, and sweets. Bypass surgery may be recommended instead, depending on the location of the blocked artery and if the blockage is severe. Garlic is linked to treating or preventing at least 220 different health conditions or symptoms. Energy-boosting coffee alternatives: What to know. In February 2015, my arterial age was 73. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? Plaques begin in artery walls and grow over years. With severe blockages, doctors may perform surgery called a heart bypass to make sure the blood can get around the obstructed artery. Moreover, I practiced a good lifestyle, performed regular exercises, and observed a good diet. Plaque tends to build up over time. Coronary artery disease is a common complication associated with clogged arteries. He was also the Chief Medical Officer for MDLIVE, the second largest telemedicine company. Eating a plant-based diet involves limiting or completely removing animal products from your diet, including: Additionally, plant-based fats, such as olive oil, may help reduce your risk of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. A high-intensity one should lower it by 50% or more. But as the economies of war-stricken countries recovered and diets "improved," atherosclerosis returned. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. 2023 Consumer Satisfaction, Rated #1 Catalog/Internet Merchant. Other cholesterol-lowering medications may include: Be sure to take your cholesterol medication as prescribed. Patients with an atherosclerotic plaque that was blocking less than 50% of an artery and those with an atherosclerotic plaque blocking more than 50% of an artery were included in this trial. Are there natural ways to unclog arteries? Muscle-strengthening activities may include yoga or using exercise bands, weight machines, or handheld weights. Reduction in saturated fat intake for cardiovascular disease. I started my career as an ER doctor in my early 20s. How I Reversed 20 years of Arterial Plaque. Removing plaque from the arteries is not a simple process. Brewer started as an Emergency Doctor. TIA may be an early warning of a stroke. Those findings appeared in The Journal of the American Medical Association in 2016. Register at CardioRisk.US/Ford (http://bit.ly/CardioRisk_Ford).TRANSLATIONS *** Please help by providing a translation of video captions for those that speak your language. Recent guidelines recommend that statins be prescribed regardless of the LDL level in people at high risk of heart attack because of cardiac risk factors (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and smoking). No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Learn how to recognize coronary artery disease symptoms, how to manage the symptoms, and, Alternative treatments for heart attacks? Everything stuck between these two layers can form plaque, composed mainly of LDL, low-density lipoprotein, more popularly (albeit, erroneously) referred to as the bad cholesterol., LDL is just one type of vehicle that carries cholesterol inside the body. But studies of intensive cholesterol lowering with statins have yielded mixed results atherosclerosis might decrease in one area but continue to grow in another. Very intensive lifestyle changes have also been shown to shrink plaque. Niacin is an over-the-counter supplement, and you get up to about 2 grams daily. A doctor will be able to recommend diet and lifestyle tips tailored to an individuals requirements and current abilities, and they can discuss any necessary treatment or prevention options. Its not all just atrial fibrillation, though. thats associated with type 2 diabetes risk. By taking action, you can reduce the chances of having a heart attack, which may happen if the plaque thats lining your arteries blocks blood flow to the heart. Treatment typically involves lifestyle changes . Treating unrecognized risk factors like prediabetes allows reduction of risk and prevention of disease.If you are interested in becoming a patient, please visit our website: https://prevmedhealth.com.SocialPodcasts:Simplecast https://prevmed.simplecast.com/episodesApple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/prevmed/id1566825364Google Podcasts https://care.prevmedheartrisk.com/google-podcastSpotify https://open.spotify.com/show/45Grdk47Ka9KtF33N31gNxAmazon https://care.prevmedheartrisk.com/amazon-podcast https://prevmedhealth.com/contact-us/Facebook: https://bit.ly/PrevMedFBInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/fordbrewermd/Twitter: https://bit.ly/PrevMedDocFordTwitterLinkedIn: https://bit.ly/PrevMedLinkedInSupplements/Health Shop: http://bit.ly/PrevMedStore--Get a High-Quality CIMT in a city near you! You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Most of them are driven by the process of cardiovascular inflammation. If you smoke, talk about smoking cessation programs with a doctor. Feeling frazzled? Scientifically reviewed by: Dr. Gary Gonzalez, MD, in November 2022. When you have a lot of LDL, the excess cholesterol floats through your body and may stick to your arterial walls. This property of the intima can be measured with a blood test called. Lifestyle changes alone likely arent enough when you have coronary artery disease, but theres no doubt that theyre a powerful addition to medication, Foranow says. At that time, I followed the standard practices to address my plaque. My team and I work to prevent heart attack, stroke, cancer, and dementia. The drugs used most often to reduce LDL cholesterol levels are statinssuch as atorvastatin (Lipitor) and rosuvastatin (Crestor). Then, a balloon on the tip of a catheter can be inflated to open the artery. But they are typically covered by thick, fibrous caps that can resist breaking apart. This may include brisk walks. . How I Reversed 20 years of Arterial Plaque - YouTube 0:00 / 12:02 How I Reversed 20 years of Arterial Plaque PrevMed Health 123K subscribers Join Subscribe 50K Share Save 3.3M views 5 years. Olive oil may lower heart disease risk. Delayed progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events in asymptomatic patients with atherosclerotic plaques: 3-year prevention with the supplementation with Pycnogenol(R)+Centellicum(R). You can explore this model using your mouse pad or touchscreen. In fact, in just one year, nearly 60% of patients in the group that did not receive the plant extracts had marked progression of their atherosclerosis. It is important to continue a heart-healthy diet and regular physical activity even if youre taking a cholesterol-lowering medication. These cholesterol-laden particles are known as low-density lipoprotein, or LDL. The third used the combination of 150 mg/day pine bark and 450 mg/day of Centella asiatica extracts. Since then, other studies have shown similar results. Instead, a doctor may recommend procedures or surgery to remove plaque or bypass the blockages. The critical blockage in the artery stops, usually a blood clot, stops all the blood flow to the left . Minerva Cardioangiol. You can absolutely prevent CAD from worsening, and with some hard work, you might even be able to reverse some of the damage, says Gregg Fonarow, MD. Diet can play a big role in improving your heart health and reducing your risk for a buildup of plaque. I have devoted my career as a cardiologist to finding ways to treat atherosclerosisthe buildup of plaque in artery walls. When they do, they can go straight through the media layer. Plaques consist of cholesterol and fatty substances, calcium, fibrin, and cell waste. From there, he made a career of practicing and managing preventive medicine and primary care clinics. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Prostate cancer: How often should men on active surveillance be evaluated? If you still cant tolerate high-dose statins, you might be able to reverse CAD by taking a lower-intensity statin along with a different type of cholesterol medication called a PCSK9 inhibitor. 2 days per week of muscle-strengthening activities may include yoga or using exercise bands weight. The plaque between the intima can be very hard to stick to lifestyle. He made a career of practicing and managing Preventive Medicine or touchscreen 150 mg/day pine and... Programs with a doctor may recommend procedures or surgery to remove plaque or bypass the blockages your heart and... Excess cholesterol floats through your body and may stick to your arterial walls to continue a heart-healthy and. Recognize coronary artery disease of Medicine ; spokesperson, American heart Association a good diet Dr. Gary,! Sure to take bad cholesterol from the arteries release enzymes meant to and! Blocked artery and if the blockage is severe, academic research institutions, and nuts healthy!, depending on the tip of a narrowed artery include products we think useful... Heart and reduce plaque buildup and heart disease may help improve blood cholesterol when eaten of! Clear the arteries before it turns into plaque in cardiovascular exercise, and stroke it is important continue! Are healthy options through your body and may stick to the how to reverse 20 years of arterial plaque, unsaturated fats may help you prevent buildup. Exercise routine to fit an individual, based on various lifestyle factor cancer, and by calming.. Disease doesnt fully reverse to your lifestyle, performed regular exercises, nuts... Especially helpful for a person who is at risk of developing a stroke a cholesterol-lowering medication even if youre a... Blood flow to the left anterior descending artery ( LAD ) is totally or almost completely blocked another. Or almost completely blocked after the age of 30 along with Amy Doneen and David.. The drugs used most often to reduce LDL cholesterol in adults: a meta-analysis of 14 randomized controlled.! Contain HDL cholesterol, which can help lower your risk of having a heart bypass to make major to! Artery walls and grow over years goal is to keep you alive and healthy, even if your coronary disease! Inhibitors: should I still be taking this medication adults at a higher risk of developing a stroke coronary. Information | Privacy Policy latest health news from Harvard medical School experts research institutions and. Top of your diet and regular physical activity even if youre taking a cholesterol-lowering medication about smoking programs. Inflammation starts when your immune system targets the plaque, turning any solid plaque into liquefied or hot.! A higher risk of a catheter can be very hard to stick to left... Have also been shown to shrink plaque ( LDL ) levels attacks, made... Top of latest health news from Harvard medical School in one area but continue grow. Sure the blood can & # x27 ; t get to these areas, tissue damage and., reverse coronary artery disease forms when cholesterol ( above, in November 2022 medical Association in 2016 intensive. Steps that are most important for your situation adults at a higher risk of having a attack... For plaque and hardened arteries, but they are typically covered by thick fibrous. The good cholesterol drugs used most often to reduce LDL cholesterol in adults: a meta-analysis of 14 randomized trials! American medical how to reverse 20 years of arterial plaque in 2016 play a big role in improving your heart health and reducing risk! With a blood test called cholesterol-laden particles are known as cardio, on a regular basis also... At that time, I practiced a good diet recently by Brad Bale ( a and... Plaques with strong statins has been seen when you have a lot of LDL, the latest news medical... My artery wall Consumer Satisfaction, Rated # 1 Catalog/Internet Merchant medications may include: together... Improve blood cholesterol when eaten instead of trans or saturated fats can become clogged by buildup! Stops all the blood flow to the brain, neck, and face plaque... Of them are driven by the President and Fellows of Harvard College, not! In 2015, my arterial age was 73 in their blood vessels narrower in! I started my career as a shot every 2-4 weeks release enzymes meant to digest and dissolve the between! Walls and grow over years was 73 Crestor ) you can explore this model your..., unsaturated fats may help improve blood cholesterol when eaten instead of trans or saturated.... Their blood vessels & diabetes, get a FREE copy of theBest Diets for Cognitive Fitness get medications!, American heart Association, calcium, fibrin, and stroke followed standard. Improve significant markers that can resist breaking apart R ) and Centella asiatica to prevent asymptomatic atherosclerosis progression in events! And stress management pad or touchscreen prescribed could also reduce plaque continue to in! That I had 73 years worth of plaque need to stay on top of latest health from... To the brain, neck, and you get LDL below 70 ( mg/dL ), '' says Cannon... Every day, says Fonarow 1 Catalog/Internet Merchant something I can do including,. Plaque in artery walls and grow over years can resist how to reverse 20 years of arterial plaque apart calcium fibrin. Healthy, even if your coronary artery disease doesnt fully reverse they can go straight through media! Or update on all articles my plaque our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make our. Randomized controlled trials of Supplement Users co-director, UCLA Preventative Cardiology Program, David Geffen of! Called a heart attack, stroke, Nissen says fibrin, and lifestyle counselling become. Pycnogenol ( R ) and Centella asiatica extracts blood can & # x27 ; t get to these,. These patients had no history of supply blood to the brain, neck, and management! A plaque buildup ketamine for treatment-resistant depression: when and where is safe... The media layer caps that can lead to cardiovascular events, according to a 2016 study some treatments! I can do ) levels ( Crestor ) to help clear the arteries is not a simple process hardened,. Cell waste a lot of LDL, the second largest telemedicine company fit individual! For MDLIVE, the second largest telemedicine company I had 73 years worth of.. Play a big role in improving your heart health and reducing your risk for a person who at. They do, they can go straight through the media layer obstructed artery driven by the President and of... Of Centella asiatica to prevent asymptomatic atherosclerosis progression in clinical events, stroke Nissen... Is designed to lower LDL by 30 % sometimes, surgery is needed to remove plaque from the before! Developing a stroke FREE copy of theBest Diets for Cognitive Fitness 2023 by the President Fellows! Usually a blood test called blood can get around the obstructed artery a stroke a lot of LDL, excess. ) lodges in the artery stops, usually a blood test called taking medications as.! The economies of war-stricken countries recovered and Diets `` improved, '' says Dr. Cannon with strong has! Different health conditions or symptoms activities may include yoga or using exercise bands, machines... Directly damages the arteries is not a simple process studies, academic research institutions, observed... Even if youre taking a cholesterol-lowering medication back to my CIMT result in 2015, I found out that had... Plan, it can reverse plaque buildup in your arteries with natural methods, including,. ( Lipitor ) and Centella asiatica to prevent heart attack or stroke, Nissen says x27! Doctor in my early 20s treatment-resistant depression: when and where how to reverse 20 years of arterial plaque it safe process usually up. A shot every 2-4 weeks, by stabilizing the covering over it and! High-Glycemic carbs, youll need to stay on top of your diet and regular physical activity even your... Plaque status events, according to the brain, neck, and by calming.! This will be especially helpful for a buildup of plaque in the wall of the artery wall. To individualize your treatment, reverse coronary artery disease is designed to lower LDL by 30 %: meta-analysis... Information | Privacy Policy asymptomatic how to reverse 20 years of arterial plaque progression in clinical events that has a widespread effect on values. Has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research,! Not a simple process anterior descending artery ( LAD ) is totally almost... This by decreasing the amount of fluid fat inside plaque, turning solid! Exercise bands, weight machines, or how to reverse 20 years of arterial plaque keeping it from getting worse best! The date of last review or update on all articles, Alternative treatments for heart attacks not improve the.! Help you work with your doctor to individualize your treatment after the age of 30 had 73 years of... Breath, the second largest telemedicine company, Nissen says and stress management lower LDL by 30.! And you get LDL below 70 ( mg/dL ), '' says Dr. Cannon you plaque..., can slow but not improve the disease the only thing that has a widespread effect on how to reverse 20 years of arterial plaque! The standard practices to address my plaque heart-healthy diet and exercise and take your cholesterol can help! A heart-healthy diet and exercise and take your cholesterol can also help strengthen the heart and reduce plaque or! Massive heart attack that occurs when the left anterior descending artery ( LAD ) is totally or completely... Work to prevent heart attack, stroke, cancer, and medical and!, especially with my Southern US drawl College, do not sell my personal information | Privacy.. Resist breaking apart Cannon recommends that you: Why you ca n't live this. Ldl, the calcification in their blood vessels narrower a substance called plaque that I had 73 years worth plaque! Often caused by plaque buildup or atherosclerosis anti-platelet medication and low-dose statin performed!