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Atherosclerosis - Treatment

Alternative Names

Arteriosclerosis; Hardening of the arteries; Plaque buildup - arteries

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:

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:

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.

  • Reviewed last on: 7/15/2008
  • Alan Berger, MD, Assistant Professor, Divisions of Cardiology and Epidemiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Boden WE, O'rourke RA, Teo KK, et al. Optimal Medical Therapy with or without PCI for Stable Coronary Disease. N Engl J Med. 2007 Mar 26; [Epub ahead of print].

Mosca L, Banka CL, Benjamin EJ, et al. Evidence-Based Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women: 2007 Update. Circulation. 2007; Published online before print February 19, 2007.

Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine, 7th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2005:921-935.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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