What should I do about atherosclerotic plaque formation?

　　The incidence of arteriosclerosis is relatively high, as patients’ arterial walls gradually thicken and harden with age, losing elasticity and leading to narrowing of the arterial lumen. So, what should be done if atherosclerotic plaques form?

　What to Do When Atherosclerotic Plaques Form

　　Once atherosclerotic plaques appear in blood vessels, it indicates that atherosclerosis has begun to progress significantly. Preventive measures should therefore be initiated promptly—targeting risk factors such as hypertension, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, obesity, and smoking. Strict smoking cessation—including avoidance of secondhand smoke—is essential. Other key interventions include actively managing body weight, regularly monitoring blood pressure, lipid levels, and blood glucose, and adopting a healthy diet. The Mediterranean diet is highly recommended. Additionally, regular physical exercise should be incorporated into daily life.

　　For treatment of atherosclerotic plaques, conservative management is typically the first-line approach. This includes antiplatelet agents and statins to inhibit platelet aggregation, reduce vascular inflammation, stabilize existing plaques, and prevent further progression of atherosclerosis. Patients must also be counseled on smoking cessation, alcohol abstinence, appropriate physical activity, and a low-salt, low-fat diet—all critical components of maintaining healthy lifestyle habits. If atherosclerotic plaques severely compromise blood flow, surgical intervention may be required to remove them. Thus, when plaques are present in arteries, both surgical and pharmacological treatments are available; the optimal choice depends on the individual patient’s clinical condition.

　　Patients are advised to follow a light, bland diet, avoiding spicy and irritating foods; to quit smoking and alcohol entirely; and to maintain regular sleep-wake cycles, avoiding late-night activities. We hope this information proves helpful.