Carotid plaque, the buildup of fat, cholesterol and other deposits on the walls of the carotid arteries, is a marker of atherosclerosis and increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. Here are some people who are prone to carotid plaque and suggestions for preventing it.
People who
are prone to carotid plaque 1. Middle-aged and elderly people: With the increase of age, the blood vessel wall will gradually harden and lose elasticity, and the risk of plaque formation will increase.
2. Smokers: Smoking can damage the blood vessel wall and accelerate the formation of plaque.
3. Hypertensive patients: Long-term hypertension can damage the blood vessel wall and promote the formation of plaque.
4. Diabetics: High blood sugar can damage vascular endothelial cells and increase the risk of plaque formation.
5. Patients with hypercholesterolemia: High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol can deposit on the walls of blood vessels and form plaques.
6. Obesity: Obesity is associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
7. Family history: People with a family history of cardiovascular disease, especially premature cardiovascular disease.
8. Bad habits: Lack of exercise, high-fat diet, excessive drinking and other bad habits will increase the risk of plaque formation.
9. Chronic kidney disease: Chronic kidney disease is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
10. Patients with inflammatory diseases: Inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
How to prevent carotid plaque
1. Healthy eating
-Low-fat diet: Reduce the intake of saturated fat and trans fat, choose low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and limit the intake of red meat and high-fat foods.
-Increase dietary fiber: Eat more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits to lower cholesterol levels.
-Limit salt intake: Reduce salt and processed foods to control blood pressure.
-Moderate intake of omega-3 fatty acids: Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating fish or supplementing with fish oil.
2. Maintain a healthy weight
-Weigh regularly: Monitor weight changes and maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI).
-Balanced diet and exercise: weight control through proper diet and regular exercise.
3. Regular exercise
-At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week: such as brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
-Strength training: Strength training at least twice a week to strengthen muscles and increase metabolism.
4. Quit Smoking
-Smoking cessation: Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and smoking cessation can significantly reduce the risk of carotid plaque.
5. Control alcohol consumption
-Limit alcohol intake to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women.
6. Control chronic diseases
-Monitor your blood pressure: Check your blood pressure regularly and follow your doctor’s advice for blood pressure management.
-Control blood sugar: People with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar closely and follow a diet and treatment plan.
-Manage cholesterol: Control cholesterol levels through diet and medication if necessary.
7. Regular physical examination
-Carotid Ultrasound: Regular carotid ultrasound is recommended for high-risk individuals to monitor plaque formation and progression.
8. Managing Stress
-Stress Reduction Techniques: Manage stress through meditation, deep breathing, yoga, or other relaxation techniques.
9. Good Sleep
-Get enough sleep: Get at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep every night for cardiovascular health.
10. Medication
-Follow medical supervision: For patients who have developed carotid plaque, doctors may prescribe drugs such as statins to lower cholesterol and antiplatelet drugs to reduce the risk of blood clots.
Conclusion
The formation of carotid plaque is the result of multiple factors, and the prevention of carotid plaque requires comprehensive lifestyle adjustment and necessary medical intervention. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation and alcohol restriction, chronic disease control and regular physical examination, the risk of carotid plaque can be significantly reduced, thereby reducing the incidence of heart disease and stroke. For high-risk populations, an individualized prevention and management plan should be developed in cooperation with medical professionals.
