Atherosclerosis Treatment
Atherosclerosis Treatment
heart-disease.emedtv.com
Atherosclerosis treatment usually begins with lifestyle changes, such as eating well, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, and maintaining a healthy weight. In addition, medications may be prescribed, such as ACE inhibitors or beta-blockers. In advanced cases, atherosclerosis treatment may require special procedures -- such as angioplasty or open heart surgery -- to open an artery and improve blood flow.
Atherosclerosis Treatment: An Introduction
There's no getting around it: Atherosclerosis changes your life. For many people, living with a condition caused by atherosclerosis requires changes both big and small, from undergoing major surgery to adding more fruits and vegetables to their diets. Change can be difficult, and sometimes even scary. But with support, resources, and a good supply of determination, most people are able to meet these new challenges well.
Atherosclerosis treatment will vary for each particular situation. Everyone diagnosed with atherosclerosis will need to undergo lifestyle changes. Depending on the severity, these may be the only changes a person needs to make. For more serious conditions, atherosclerosis treatment may include medications or certain procedures.
Lifestyle Changes as Part of Atherosclerosis Treatment
If you have atherosclerosis, you know by now that it's vital to control it. Making lifestyle changes that improve your atherosclerosis risk factors is one important part of atherosclerosis treatment. Eating well, getting regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight will help to lessen the severity of your condition. If you smoke, you'll need to quit. Reducing stress and limiting alcohol use can also improve your heart health. And if you have diabetes, you will need to carefully manage it. Be sure to see your doctor regularly for followup visits.
There are a number of links related to lifestyle changes available on eMedTV. Some include:
DASH Diet for high blood pressure
Low Cholesterol Diet for high cholesterol
Diet and Heart Disease for heart disease
BMI Calculator or BMI Chart to find your ideal weight.
There are also articles about lifestyle changes with regards to heart disease that also apply to other conditions caused by atherosclerosis. Some include:
Smoking and Heart Disease
Heart Disease and Exercise
Stress and Heart Disease
Alcohol and Heart Disease
Weight and Heart Disease
Obesity and Heart Disease.
Using Medications for Atherosclerosis Treatment
There are a number of different types of medication recommended for people with atherosclerosis. Some medications may be used to treat a risk factor for atherosclerosis, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Others may be prescribed to prevent or relieve the symptoms of atherosclerosis. If you do take medicine, it's important to maintain your heart-healthy lifestyle, because healthy daily habits will keep your dose of medicine as low as possible.
Medications that are commonly prescribed as atherosclerosis treatment include:
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
Anticoagulants
Antiplatelets
Beta blockers
Calcium channel blockers
Cholesterol medications
Digitalis
Diuretics
Nitrates.
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors stop the body from producing a chemical that narrows blood vessels. They are used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure (CHF). ACE inhibitors may also reduce the risks of a future heart attack or prevent kidney damage in people with diabetes. Some examples of ACE inhibitors used in atherosclerosis treatment include:
Quinapril (Accupril®)
Benazepril (Lotensin®)
Enalapril (Vasotec®)
Ramipril (Altace®)
Fosinopril (Monopril®)
Captopril (Capoten®)
Lisinopril (Prinivil®, Zestril®).
II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) are newer blood pressure medicines that block a chemical (angiotensin II) that normally causes blood vessels to narrow. By blocking the effects of angiotensin II, ARBs cause blood vessels to relax, which can lower blood pressure. ARBs may also be used to treat congestive heart failure and kidney damage from diabetes (diabetic nephropathy), or improve survival following a heart attack.
Some examples of ARBs include:
Losartan (Cozaar®)
Valsartan (Diovan®)
Irbesartan (Avapro®)
Telmisartan (Micardis®)
Candesartan (Atacand®)
Olmesartan (Benicar®).
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants decrease the ability of the blood to clot and, therefore, help to prevent clots from forming in your arteries and blocking blood flow. (These medicines are sometimes called "blood thinners," though they do not actually thin the blood.) Anticoagulants will not dissolve clots that have already formed, but they may prevent the clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems.
An example of an anticoagulant used in atherosclerosis treatment is warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®).
Antiplatelets
Antiplatelets are medications that stop blood particles called platelets from clumping together to form harmful clots. These medications may be given to people who have had a heart attack; have angina; or experience chest pain after an angioplasty procedure, stroke, or TIA (transcient ischemic attack -- a "mini-stroke"). Aspirin is one type of antiplatelet medicine. Other antiplatelets used in atherosclerosis treatment include:
Clopidogrel (Plavix®)
Dipyridamole (Aggrenox®, Persantine®, and others)
Ticlopidine (Ticlid®).
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers slow the heart rate and allow it to beat with less force. They are used to treat high blood pressure and some arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms), and to prevent a repeat heart attack. They can also delay or prevent the development of angina.
Examples of beta blockers used in atherosclerosis treatment include:
Atenolol (Tenormin®)
Metoprolol (Lopressor®)
Propranolol (Inderal®)
Metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL®)
Carvedilol (Coreg®)
Labetalol (Trandate®).
Calcium Channel Blockers
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