Atherosclerosis is a condition in which plaque, comprised of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and inflammatory cells, builds up on the artery walls. This narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow. The disease can develop silently for years but is a leading cause of heart attacks and strokes. Dr. Dao Thi Yen Thuy, Head of the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, emphasizes the crucial role of diet in managing disease progression and preventing complications.

Saturated fats, abundant in animal fats, butter, chicken skin, fatty meats, and trans fats, increase LDL (bad cholesterol), contributing to plaque formation and growth. Patients should minimize their intake of these fats, substituting them with unsaturated fats from fatty fish, avocados, olive oil, and nuts.

Sugar and refined carbohydrates (sweets, sodas, energy drinks, white bread) elevate blood sugar and triglycerides, accelerating inflammation and atherosclerosis. Patients should reduce their sugar intake to below 25 g per day, opting for whole grains and whole fruits instead of juices.

Salt increases blood pressure, stressing artery walls and promoting atherosclerosis progression. Patients should limit salt, fish sauce, soy sauce, pickled foods, and processed foods like sausages, bacon, and instant noodles. The recommended sodium intake is no more than 1,500-2,000 mg per day (equivalent to one teaspoon of salt).

Limiting sugary, fried, and processed foods helps reduce the risk of atherosclerosis progression. Photo: Trong Nghia

Alcohol can increase blood pressure, triglycerides, and the risk of blood clots. For those with atherosclerosis, alcohol consumption can cause abnormal blood vessel constriction, raising the risk of stroke. Therefore, it should be avoided entirely or minimized.

Processed and fast foods like sausages, cold cuts, canned goods, french fries, and fried chicken are high in salt, unhealthy fats, and preservatives. These increase inflammatory responses in the body and damage artery walls. Patients should prioritize fresh foods prepared simply by steaming, boiling, or grilling with minimal oil.

Dr. Yen Thuy advises individuals experiencing persistent symptoms suggestive of atherosclerosis, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, difficulty speaking, numbness or weakness in the limbs, or transient vision loss, to seek prompt cardiology consultation. Avoid self-medicating with drugs of unknown origin, as this can cause interactions and worsen underlying conditions. Depending on the case, doctors may prescribe medication to control blood pressure, cholesterol, and platelet aggregation, treat diabetes, and combine this with physical therapy or interventions like stenting or bypass surgery if the narrowing is severe.

Patients should consume plenty of green vegetables, fresh fruit, fatty fish, nuts, beans, and whole grains. Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and managing blood pressure and cholesterol are also crucial. Supplementing with natural extracts like GDL-5 (derived from South American sugarcane) can help reduce total cholesterol and limit the risk of atherosclerosis.

Trong Nghia