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Atherosclerosis
See Also:
Atherosclerosis:
Introduction & Types
Atherosclerosis:
Causes & Risk Factors
Atherosclerosis:
Signs & Symptoms
Atherosclerosis
Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Atherosclerosis:
Treatment & Prevention Options
Treatment Options
I. Medications
Cholesterol lowering
drugs: Statins (Lovastatin, Pravastatin,
Simvastatin, Atorvastatin and Fluvastatin),
Niacin, Bile acid sequestrants (Cholestyramine,
Colestipol and Colesevelam), Fibric acid
derivatives (Gemfibrozil, Fenofibrate and
Clofibrate) and Probuchol
Hypertension lowering
drugs: These drugs also lower the heart
rate consequently reducing the workload or strain
on the heart. Some of the examples of this type
are Beta-blockers (Acebutolol, Atenolol,
Metoprolol, Nadolol and Propranolol),
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
(Benazepril, Captopril, Enalapril, Lisinopril and
Ramipril), Calcium-channel blockers (Amlodipine,
Felodipine, Nifedipine, Nicardipine and
Verapamil) and Alpha/beta blockers (Labetalol)
Blood Thinning Drugs
are classified into three types:
Platelet Inhibitors:
Aspirin, Ticlodipine, Dipyridamole,
Clopidogrel and Glycoprotein receptor
agonists (Abciximab, Eptifibatide, Lamifiban
and Tirofiban)
Anticoagulants:
Heparin and Warfarin
Thrombolytics:
recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator
(rTPA), Streptokinase and Urokinase
II. Surgical and Non-Surgical Procedures:
Angiography is an X-ray examination of the blood vessels
to ascertain an invasive or non-invasive procedure that
needs to be performed depending on the location such as
heart, brain or lower extremities and severity of
atherosclerosis. Those procedures may include:
A. Surgical Procedures:
Bypass Surgery:
In this procedure, blood is rerouted of bypassed
around the blocked arteries to improve the blood
supply to affected areas such as heart and limbs.
Minimally Invasive Bypass
Surgery: In this procedure, a small
incision is created in the chest wall to perform
a regular bypass surgery.
Endarterctomy: This
procedure is performed to remove plaque in the
carotid (which is a major artery located in front
of the neck) or peripheral arteries.
B. Non-Surgical Procedures:
Angioplasty: In
this procedure, a catheter with a deflated
balloon is inserted into a narrowed part of
artery and the balloon inflated to widen the
inner diameter of the blood vessel. The balloon
is then deflated and the catheter removed. A
permanent stent (wire mesh) may be placed to hold
the artery wide open and improve the blood flow.
Atherectomy:
This procedure is performed to remove plaque from
arteries using a laser catheter or a rotating
shaver.
Laser Revascularization: In
this procedure, a laser creates multiple channels
through the heart muscle into the main pumping
chamber of the heart. The channels fill with
blood from the pumping chamber, which then
supplies oxygen and necessary nutrients to the
heart muscle (1).
Prevention Methods
Atherosclerosis can be prevented by:
Avoid or quitting tobacco smoking
Avoiding saturated fatty foods
and cholesterol containing food
Controlling high blood pressure
Controlling diabetes
Controlling obesity and heavy
weight with regular exercise physical activity
Stress management (4).
See Also:
Atherosclerosis:
Introduction & Types
Atherosclerosis:
Causes & Risk Factors
Atherosclerosis:
Signs & Symptoms
Atherosclerosis
Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Atherosclerosis:
Treatment & Prevention Options
Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com
Sources
- Atherosclerosis,
University of Maryland Medical Center, December
2001
- Atherosclerosis,
National Heart Blood and Lung Institute, US
Department of Health & Human Services,
National Institutes of Health
- Atherosclerosis,
Health A to Z, Aetna InteliHealth, March 2007
- Atherosclerosis,
iVillage Total Health
- Atherosclerosis,
Heart and Blood Vessels Disorders, The Merck
manuals, January 2008
- Atherosclerosis
– Risk factors, Prevention and Wellness Tips,
Recovery The Freedom to Move
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