The winter solstice is here, the temperature is dropping rapidly, and it’s time for another high incidence of cardiovascular disease. “Yesterday we were talking and laughing, but today how can we say no?” Life is often overwhelmed by the death caused by an unexpected heart attack. In fact, most of these patients have an “untimely bomb” in their bodies – vascular sclerosis. This “untimely bomb”, everyone should be alert! Especially during winter time! A. What is vascular sclerosis? In order to make the blood flow smoothly, the normal blood vessels are very elastic and the inner wall is very soft. However, blood vessels that form atherosclerosis thicken and harden, and the inner wall appears as chalky or atherosclerotic nests, which are bulges caused by the attachment of cholesterol and platelets. As a result, the inner lumen of the blood vessel narrows, making the blood circulation not smooth, and if it continues to deteriorate, it will be completely blocked. Second, the blood vessel is hard, what will happen? Brain: hardening of the arteries in the brain → slow blockage → Alzheimer’s disease, stroke → death or paraplegia. Heart: hardening of the arteries in the heart → slow blockage → coronary heart disease, heart attack. Neck: hardening of the arteries in the neck → slow blockage → brain tissue ischemia → brain atrophy, brain infarction. Kidney: Arteriosclerosis of the kidney → slowly blockage → intractable hypertension, kidney failure. Intestine: Arteriosclerosis of intestinal membrane → slowly blockage → gastroenteritis, intestinal infarction blockage necrosis. Lower limbs: lower limb arteriosclerosis → slowly blockage → intermittent claudication of lower limbs, foot gangrene. Third, how to know whether there is hardening of blood vessels? If you have a medical report, you can measure the degree of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis index = [total blood cholesterol – HDL cholesterol] ÷ HDL cholesterol. Atherosclerosis index <4 reflects that the degree of atherosclerosis is not severe or is decreasing. Atherosclerosis index ≥ 4 indicates that atherosclerosis has occurred. Fourth, which behavior will harden blood vessels? 1, "three high" diet "three high" diet that is high sugar, high oil and high fat, high salt diet. High salt diet will increase the risk of hypertension, high blood pressure will accelerate the hardening of blood vessels. A diet high in sugar may cause an increase in blood sugar and insulin levels, increasing the risk of atherosclerosis. High oil and high fat diet will make more fat deposits on the walls of the blood vessels, inducing atherosclerosis. 2, too little exercise exercise can promote blood circulation, increase the elasticity of blood vessels, sedentary will affect blood circulation, resulting in the accumulation of garbage in the blood vessels, easy to form atherosclerotic plaque. 3, a lot of alcohol drinking a lot of alcohol can damage the liver affect lipid metabolism, lipid metabolism affects the total plasma cholesterol and triglycerides, abnormal lipid metabolism is recognized as a risk factor for atherosclerosis. 4, often smoke Nicotine, carbon monoxide and other harmful substances in cigarettes can contribute to the increase in total blood cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, direct damage to endothelial cells, leading to the formation of atherosclerosis. Five, which food will soften the blood vessels? 1, green tea Tea polyphenols have a lowering of blood lipids, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory effects. Secondly, green tea is rich in vitamins, can strengthen the microvasculature, enhance vascular flexibility, elasticity and permeability, and prevent vascular sclerosis. 2, red wine soaked onions Onions contain two sulfide conjugates, have a cardiovascular protective effect; red wine contains strong antioxidants from grape skins and grape seeds, which are good for vascular health. 3, buckwheat buckwheat contains rutin, which can promote cell proliferation, prevent cell clumping, the vascular system has a protective effect. It can also enhance the elasticity, toughness and denseness of the blood vessel wall, inhibit the rise of lipids in the blood and improve lipid metabolism. 4, dark chocolate dark chocolate contains antioxidant effect of flavonoids, it can prevent the hardening of blood vessels, increase the vitality of the heart muscle, relax the muscle, the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease is beneficial. 5, yam yam has the reputation of "food of the gods", its mucus protein can prevent fat deposition in the cardiovascular system, maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, to prevent atherosclerosis. 6, kelp kelp is rich in rock algae polysaccharides, kombucha, these substances are similar to the activity of heparin, both to prevent blood clots and can lower cholesterol, lipoproteins, inhibit atherosclerosis. 7, corn corn is rich in unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid content of up to 60% or more. Helps the normal metabolism of body fat and cholesterol, can reduce the deposition of cholesterol in the blood vessels, thus softening the arteries. 8, eggplant Eggplant is rich in vitamin P, has the effect of softening blood vessels, but also can enhance the elasticity of blood vessels, reduce capillary permeability, prevent capillary rupture, to prevent small blood vessel bleeding has a certain effect.