Did you recently find out about your blocked arteries? You might be wondering how long you can live with them. To answer, there is no definitive time or lifespan with coronary artery calcification. Still, you can work to prevent your arteries from becoming blocked and reverse the condition. All you need is to incorporate some lifestyle changes and medical treatment if you have been diagnosed already.
Survival Rate with Coronary Artery Disease or CAD
Also known as coronary heart disease and atherosclerotic, coronary artery disease takes place when a solid plaque of cholesterol, calcium, and waste products builds up in the coronary arteries. This blocks the blood flow pathway, restricting blood flow through the arteries of the heart muscles once the plaque hardens. As a result, you may suffer a heart attack.
The survival rate with blocked arteries depends on a few factors, such as the severity of the condition as well as the treatment path. With timely diagnosis and proper treatment, you can live a long and productive life with CAD.
What Causes Blocked Arteries or Coronary Artery Disease?
The development of coronary artery disease begins when plaque deposits appear in the inner lining of coronary arteries. This can lead to narrow and rigid blood vessels. Some reasons behind CAD include:
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Family history of heart disease
- Smoking
- Aging
- Lack of exercise or physical activity
So, How Long Can You Live With Blocked Arteries?
The severity of the condition and its treatment will affect how long you live with blocked arteries. Although it is a serious heart condition, timely diagnosis and suitable treatment can help you live a long, prosperous life.
As we have previously mentioned, there is no definite time for a person’s lifespan with blocked arteries or coronary artery calcification. You can work to live longer by practicing healthy lifestyle changes and religiously sticking with your medical treatment.
Coronary Artery Disease Treatments
Firstly, your heart specialist might suggest lifestyle changes to live with coronary artery disease. This can look like this:
- Consume a Healthy Diet: A healthy, balanced, and nutritious diet can go a long way, especially when it comes to your heart health. Eating foods rich in fruits, vegetables, lead proteins, healthy fats, and whole grains is highly beneficial for improving your condition with blocked arteries. Moreover, limiting saturated and trans fat, sodium, added sugars, and cholesterol are also some healthy changes you should adopt.
- Participate in Regular Physical Activity: An hour of moderate-intensity workout aerobic exercises, as well as strength training, can help improve your heart health. Consult your doctor before trying anything!
- Maintain a Healthy Weight: Your cardiovascular health will improve a lot once you manage to maintain a healthy weight since it reduces the strain on your heart.
- Avoid Smoking: There is no good outcome to smoking, and like other areas of your health, it affects your cardiovascular health. One of the most crucial steps to improve your heart health is to stop smoking.
- Find Ways to Relieve Stress: Engage in hobbies you enjoy, practice relaxation, meditate, and do what is necessary for you to destress.
Final Takeaway
There is no set time or lifespan for blocked arteries, but you can make sure to have a healthy life with the help of proper medical treatments and lifestyle changes.
Memorial Cardiology Associates is here to help keep your heart healthy and strong. You can contact us at:
Memorial City (713) 464-6006
Katy West (281) 398-4944
Greater Heights (713) 861-2424
Bellville (713) 464-6006