What methods are available to clear a blocked artery?

Jul 18, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Arterial blockage may be caused by aging, lack of physical activity, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction, and other factors. It can typically be treated through dietary adjustments, exercise, and medication. In daily life, one should maintain a light diet, reduce intake of high-fat and high-sugar foods, quit smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and control body weight.

Arterial blockage may be caused by aging, lack of exercise, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, acute myocardial infarction, and other factors. It can usually be treated through dietary adjustments, exercise, medication, and other methods. If any abnormalities occur, timely medical attention is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Aging: As people age, the elasticity of arteries gradually decreases, and lipid deposition in the inner lining becomes more likely, possibly leading to vascular blockage. Regular vascular examinations, a low-salt and low-fat diet, and appropriate exercise are recommended to delay vascular aging.

2. Lack of exercise: Prolonged physical inactivity can slow blood flow, promoting lipid deposition on the vessel walls and potentially causing blockage. Regular exercise, such as brisk walking or jogging, should be maintained to promote blood circulation and reduce lipid deposition.

3. Hyperlipidemia: Excessively high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood can deposit on the arterial walls, forming plaques that cause blockage. Symptoms may include dizziness and fatigue, although symptoms are generally not highly specific. Treatment primarily involves medications such as atorvastatin calcium tablets, fenofibrate capsules, and ezetimibe tablets, as directed by a physician.

4. Atherosclerosis: Following damage to the inner lining of an artery, lipid deposition can form atherosclerotic plaques, narrowing or even blocking the vessel lumen. Symptoms often include chest tightness and limb numbness. Physicians typically recommend medications such as aspirin enteric-coated tablets, clopidogrel bisulfate tablets, and rosuvastatin calcium tablets.

5. Acute myocardial infarction: Acute blockage of a coronary artery interrupts blood flow, causing ischemic damage and necrosis of heart muscle tissue, often accompanied by severe chest pain, shortness of breath, and profuse sweating. This is a critical condition. Treatment should follow medical advice to use medications such as nitroglycerin tablets, aspirin enteric-coated tablets, and alteplase for injection. Interventional surgery may be necessary to clear the blockage.

In daily life, maintain a light diet, reduce intake of high-fat and high-sugar foods, quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, manage body weight, and regularly monitor blood pressure, lipids, and blood glucose levels to prevent arterial blockage. If sudden symptoms such as chest pain or impaired limb movement occur, seek immediate medical attention.