How to Prevent Calcium Build Up In Your Arteries

Arteries are blood vessels which take oxygenated blood (except for the Pulmonary Artery) away from the heart to deliver nutrients and oxygen to parts of the body. While the heart beats, pumping blood to the farthest reaches of your body, arteries and veins act as pipelines, carrying blood from and to the heart respectively. The Arteries however, go through a lot more mechanical action and stress given the fact that they form the high-pressure part of the system. The wear and tear arteries go through also puts them at the risk of contracting atherosclerosis (plaque and calcium buildups) which can lead to heart conditions and stroke.

Instructions

  • 1

    Smoking is considered one of the major activities which accelerate arterial hardening and promote the accumulation of calcium deposits in arteries. Even if you do not smoke yourself, passive smoking can also significantly increase your chances of developing calcium build ups.

  • 2

    As discussed earlier, the more wear and tear your arteries go through, the more prone they are to plaque and calcium build up. In order to minimize the stress on your arteries, you need to avoid high blood pressure and hypertension. Foods with a lot of sodium content or salt are largely considered responsible for high blood pressure. Reduce your sodium intake as much as you can in order to maintain optimal blood pressure.

  • 3

    It is believed that Vitamin K (according to a 2007 study in the Journal of the American Society of Hematology) not only prevents new calcium deposits, but leads to a reduction in existing ones. Green leafy vegetables are considered good sources of vitamin K and should be part of your diet on a regular basis.

  • 4

    While dairy products should be part of your diet, they need to be consumed in moderation. Not only are they exceedingly rich sources of calcium, they also increase your cholesterol level, which also contributes towards arterial build ups. If your blood has a high concentration of calcium, it will naturally lead to arterial calcification.

  • 5

    Obesity and diabetes also contribute to arterial build ups alongside other major heart conditions. If you are overweight or suffering from diabetes, you are much more likely to form calcium deposits in your arteries. You need to exercise regularly in order to maintain a healthy weight (according to gender and height) and avoid foods with high sugar content.

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