Treatment for Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis leads to symptoms such as angina pectoris which can be treated. Non-pharmaceutical means are usually the first method of treatment which require the will of a patient, such as cessation of smoking and practicing regular exercise. If the above method fails to improve condition, medication would be the next in line. However patented medication should be consumed as it would not bring other side effects which are found in non patented medications.

Examples of  patented cholesterol medicine

Cholesterol medications. By aggressively lowering your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol, this type of medication can slow, stop or even reverse the buildup of fatty deposits in your arteries.  Boosting your high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol, may help, too. Statin or Fibrates are examples of medication used for lowering the deposit of fats in the arteries and is commonly used by medical professionals for treatment.

Aspirin tablet

Anti-platelet  medications. This type of medication is commonly prescribed by doctors to prevent platelets from clotting and blocking the passage of a vessel. These are called anti-platelet medication, and one of them is Aspirin which is a common medication. Sudden heart attack would also need this medication to increase survival.

Beta blocker medications. These medications are used mainly for coronary artery disease. They lower your heart rate and blood pressure, reducing the demand on your heart and often relieve symptoms of chest pain. Beta blockers reduce the risk of heart attacks and heart rhythm problems.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These medications can help slow the progression of atherosclerosis by lowering blood pressure and producing other beneficial effects on the heart arteries. ACE inhibitors can also reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks.

Calcium channel blockers. These medications lower blood pressure and are sometimes used to treat angina.

Water pills (diuretics). High blood pressure is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. Diuretics can help by lowering blood pressure of a person.

Other medications. Your doctor may suggest certain medications to control specific risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as diabetes. Sometimes specific medications to treat symptoms of atherosclerosis, such as leg pain during exercise, are prescribed.

Sometimes more aggressive treatment is needed. If you have severe symptoms or a blockage that threatens muscle or skin tissue survival, you may be a candidate for one of the following surgical procedures:

Illustration of Angioplasty

Angioplasty. In this procedure, your doctor inserts a long, thin tube (catheter) into the blocked or narrowed part of your artery. A second catheter with a deflated balloon on its tip is then passed through the catheter to the narrowed area. The balloon is then inflated, compressing the deposits against your artery walls. A mesh tube (stent) is usually left in the artery to help keep the artery open.

Endarterectomy. In some cases, fatty deposits must be surgically removed from the walls of a narrowed artery. When the procedure is done on arteries in the neck (the carotid arteries), it's known as carotid endarterectomy.

Thrombolytic therapy. If you have an artery that's blocked by a blood clot, your doctor may insert a clot-dissolving drug into your artery at the point of the clot to break it up.

Bypass surgery in action

Bypass surgery. Your doctor may create a graft bypass using a vessel from another part of your body or a tube made of synthetic fabric. This allows blood to flow around the blocked or narrowed artery. This surgery usually has its risks but it is very effective to prevent further complications.

Variety of fruits and vegetables

Apart from the above, if cholestrol levels are high a doctor may recommend Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) - a three-part program that includes a healthy diet, physical activity, and weight management. With the TLC diet, less than 7% of daily calories should come from saturated fat found mainly in meat, poultry and dairy products and no more than 35% of daily calories should come from all fats, including saturated, trans, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fats and less than 200 mg of cholesterol daily.

Foods high in soluble fibre are also part of a healthy eating plan as they help block the digestive track from absorbing cholesterol. These foods include: whole grain cereals such as oatmeal and oat bran, fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges, pears, and prunes, legumes such as kidney beans, lentils, chick peas, black-eyed peas, and lima beans.

A diet high in fruits and vegetables can increase important cholesterol-lowering compounds in the diet called plant stanols or sterols, which work like soluble fibre.

Fish is also an important part of a heart healthy diet as fish is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help protect the heart from blood clots and inflammation and reduce the risk for heart attack - two fish meals should be eaten each week - fish high in omega-3 fats are salmon, tuna (canned or fresh), and mackerel.

It is also good to limit the amount of sodium (salt) that is eaten by choosing low-sodium and low-salt foods and "no added salt" foods and seasonings at the table or when cooking and examining food labels for sodium content.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/DS00525/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

Posted in: Atherosclerosis