Your arteries — you have 160 of them — carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. But when plaque builds up inside your arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis, it can narrow or block blood flow. This can lead to serious health problems like heart attacks, strokes, or peripheral artery disease (PAD).
The good news? While some risk factors are out of your control, there’s a lot you can do to help prevent an arterial blockage.
This month, our providers at Vascular Specialists describe the risk factors for arterial blockages and explain what you can do to reduce your risk of developing one.
Arterial blockages don’t happen overnight. They develop over time due to a mix of genetics, lifestyle, and other medical conditions.
Common risk factors include:
Understanding your personal risk is the first step toward prevention. If you have one or more of these factors, it’s worth speaking to your Vascular Specialists provider to develop a prevention strategy.
While some risk factors are beyond your control — your family health history, for example — you can take action to reduce your modifiable risks. Here are the top four strategies you can implement to help prevent arterial blockages:
Your diet has a powerful impact on your cardiovascular health. To help keep your arteries clear:
These dietary tweaks can help reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, and support your endothelium — the thin layer of cells lining your blood vessels. A healthy endothelium keeps your arteries flexible, promotes smooth blood flow, and helps prevent plaque buildup that can lead to blockages.
Regular exercise keeps your blood flowing, strengthens your heart, and helps maintain healthy arteries.
Try to log 150 minutes of moderate exercise, such as brisk walking, each week. You can get the same benefit in just 75 minutes of vigorous activity.
Even simple activities — such as taking the stairs rather than the elevator or walking during your lunch break — can make a difference. If you have PAD or limited mobility, talk to your Vascular Specialists provider about safe ways for you to get and stay active.
Regardless of your level of cardiovascular activity, you should also add two strength training days to your workout schedule. Strength training helps prevent arterial blockages by improving blood vessel function, reducing inflammation, and enhancing circulation — all of which support healthier arteries.
Smoking isn’t just bad for your lungs. In fact, it's one of the most damaging habits for your arteries. It causes inflammation, damages blood vessel walls, and accelerates plaque buildup. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce your risk of arterial blockages — even if you've smoked for years.
And if you don’t smoke? Don’t start.
Stay on top of your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. If you’re diagnosed with high cholesterol or hypertension, medications and lifestyle changes can help manage them.
At Vascular Specialists, we offer advanced screening, diagnostic tools, and personalized care to help prevent and manage arterial blockages. If you're at risk — or already experiencing symptoms like leg pain, fatigue, or numbness — we’re here to help.
Your treatment plan might include:
We also manage related conditions like PAD with expert, compassionate care.
If you’re concerned about your risk or you want to take preventive action, schedule a consultation in Tinley Park, Illinois, or Munster, Indiana. You can also reach us at 815-824-4406.
