Treatment:

Your doctor will probably suggest a low-fat diet, weight loss if you are overweight, and exercise.

Few medications have actually been found to clear up plaque. Most medications are used to treat the complications of atherosclerosis. Blood thinners may be given to prevent clots from forming.

Medications are often prescribed to treat the risk factors for CAD:

• Medications to lower lipids
• Medications to keep blood sugar under control
• Medications to lower high blood pressure

Atherosclerosis can lead to coronary heart disease (CHD). If you have CHD that does not cause symptoms, you can be treated with either medicine or angioplasty with stenting. These procedures are designed to enlarge the narrowing in the arteries, but do not remove plaque.

Recent studies show that medicine and angioplasty with stenting have similar benefits. Angioplasty with stenting does not help you live longer, but it can reduce angina or other symptoms of coronary artery disease.

Angioplasty with stenting, however, can be a life-saving procedure if you are having a heart attack.

Other procedures (bypass surgery) place a piece of an artery or vein from the aorta to the diseased artery to bypass the blocked area.

Some people may need a procedure called an endarterectomy to remove plaque build up.

See also:

• Angioplasty
• Coronary artery bypass surgery
• Minimally invasive heart surgery

Expectations (prognosis):

Everyone starts to develop some amount of atherosclerosis as they grow older. In some people, the condition can cause complications such as a heart attack or stroke.

Complications:

• Coronary artery disease
• Damage to organs (such as the kidneys, brain, liver, and intestines)
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Too little blood to the legs and feet
• Transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you are at risk for atherosclerosis, especially if symptoms occur.

Talk to your doctor before starting a new exercise plan, especially if you have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease or if you have ever had a heart attack.