b'Diagnosing AtherosclerosisIf youre at a high risk for atherosclerosis, your doctor may order one or more of the following tests.ANGIOGRAPHYis a specific type of X-ray in which a dye is injected into the arteries in the heart, neck, brain, or other areas of the body to check for plaque buildup or blocked arteries. ELECTROCARDIOGRAMis a painless test that records your hearts electrical activity. It shows how fast your heart is beating and the strength and timing of the electrical impulses passing through each part of your heart. It can also identify an irregular heartbeat. CARDIAC MRI detects tissue damage or problems with blood flow in the heart or coronary arteries. Cardiac MRI can help explain results from other imaging tests such as chest X-rays and CT scans.CORONARY CALCIUM SCANmeasures the amount of calcium in the walls of your coronary arteries. A score of zero is normal. In general, the higher your score, the more likely you are to have heart disease. If your score is high, your doctor may recommend more tests.CORONARY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY (CT) ANGIOGRAPHY shows the insides of your coronary arteries using a noninvasive imaging test rather than an invasive cardiac catheterization.STRESS TESTINGmeasures how healthy your heart is and how well it works during physical stress. The test usually involves physical exercise such as walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bicycle. If you are not able to exercise, your doctor will give you medicine that will make your heart work hard and beat faster. 7 Artery-Loving NutrientsProperly functioning arteries are crucial for optimal cardiovascular health. The following supplements have been shown to address the multiple factors that contribute to atherosclerosis. While each of these can be effective on its own, studies show that their effectiveness is increased when taken in combination.AGED GARLIC EXTRACT (AGE).Although AGE can improve your cholesterol levels, when it comes to enhancing your overall cardiovascular health, it can do so much more! One double-blind, randomized clinical trial found that aged garlic extract lowered systolic blood pressure by as much as 11.5 mmHg and diastolic pressure by 6.3 mmHg compared to a placebo. Another clinical trial involving 65 firefighters found that a combination of aged garlic extract and coenzyme Q10 halted the progression of dangerous coronary artery calcification (CAC). After 12 months, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, found that those taking AGE and coenzyme Q10 had significant reductions in CAC progression, as well as decreases in the markers for inflammation and oxidative stress. Other studies report that AGE supports healthy circulation, including microcirculation (the network of tiny arterioles, capillaries, and venules that feed individual cells). Plus, AGE has been shown to inhibit the accumulation of platelets at the site of a vascular injurysomething called platelet aggregation. The newest findings show that AGE can also reduce the amount of unstable plaque in arteries. 10GET HEART HEALTHY'