Treatment of atherosclerosis
Post updated: July 17
For the treatment of atherosclerosis, complex therapy should be used. The concept of treatment includes: lifestyle changes, medical correction of the condition and, if necessary, surgical intervention. Lifestyle changes are preventive measures, which we will talk about in the next article. Today we will consider medical correction and surgical intervention.
Medical treatment of atherosclerosis.
The strategy of drug treatment depends on the levels of LDL cholesterol and overall cardiovascular risk.
Drug therapy for atherosclerosis involves the use of 5 groups of lipid-lowering drugs: bile acid sequestrants, nicotinic acid, statins, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, PCSK9 inhibitors (proprotein convertase subtilin/ kexin). These agents have a stabilizing effect on the atherosclerotic plaque, improve the function of the endothelium (the inner lining of the vessels), inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, while differing in the severity of the effect on various indicators of lipid metabolism. Only the doctor will recommend the necessary drug and its dosage. Statins are used more often. Treatment with statins contributes to a significant reduction in mortality and prevents cardiovascular complications. The required dose of statins is selected individually for each patient. The drug is taken once a day in the evening before going to bed. Preparations based on fish oil, essential phospholipids are of auxiliary importance. They are used only in combination with statins.
Surgical treatment of atherosclerosis.
Surgical treatment is indicated for all patients who are at risk of developing complications of atherosclerosis to restore arterial patency (revascularization). In ischemic heart disease, coronary artery stenting or bypass surgery is performed to prevent the development of a heart attack. In cerebral atherosclerosis, carotid artery stenting is performed to prevent the development of stroke. To prevent the development of gangrene of the lower extremities, prosthetics of the main arteries are performed. It should be noted that the necessity and scope of surgical intervention is determined by a surgeon (cardiac surgeon, vascular surgeon).
Medical treatment of atherosclerosis.
The strategy of drug treatment depends on the levels of LDL cholesterol and overall cardiovascular risk.
Drug therapy for atherosclerosis involves the use of 5 groups of lipid-lowering drugs: bile acid sequestrants, nicotinic acid, statins, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, PCSK9 inhibitors (proprotein convertase subtilin/ kexin). These agents have a stabilizing effect on the atherosclerotic plaque, improve the function of the endothelium (the inner lining of the vessels), inhibit the development of atherosclerosis, while differing in the severity of the effect on various indicators of lipid metabolism. Only the doctor will recommend the necessary drug and its dosage. Statins are used more often. Treatment with statins contributes to a significant reduction in mortality and prevents cardiovascular complications. The required dose of statins is selected individually for each patient. The drug is taken once a day in the evening before going to bed. Preparations based on fish oil, essential phospholipids are of auxiliary importance. They are used only in combination with statins.
Surgical treatment of atherosclerosis.
Surgical treatment is indicated for all patients who are at risk of developing complications of atherosclerosis to restore arterial patency (revascularization). In ischemic heart disease, coronary artery stenting or bypass surgery is performed to prevent the development of a heart attack. In cerebral atherosclerosis, carotid artery stenting is performed to prevent the development of stroke. To prevent the development of gangrene of the lower extremities, prosthetics of the main arteries are performed. It should be noted that the necessity and scope of surgical intervention is determined by a surgeon (cardiac surgeon, vascular surgeon).
