How is atherosclerosis treated?
Medicines can’t cure atherosclerosis or make constricted arteries regain their elasticity. A cholesterol-lowering medicine can reduce the amount of cholesterol deposited in the arteries and slow the progression of the disease. Medicines such as low-dose aspirin can prevent blood clots. Atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart can be treated by medication. This reduces the heart’s need for oxygen, lowering pressure on the heart and improving pumping ability. Blockages can also be treated by the following surgical techniques. • Balloon dilation (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or PTA): the narrowed coronary artery is dilated (opened up) with a balloon. A good long-term result can be achieved by then inserting a metal stent (tube) to keep the artery open. • Bypass operation: a section of blood vessel is taken from another part of your body, usually the leg, and joined to the blocked artery to bypass the obstruction to blood flow. • Cleaning th
