Atherosclerosis: The Enemy Within

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Slow the Growth of Plaque

If you’ve been diagnosed with plaque or blockage anywhere in your body, or if you have type 1 or 2 diabetes (people with diabetes are at such high risk of atherosclerosis that physicians treat them as if they already have it), there are several effective treatments to help prevent its progression.

Aspirin therapy: Take an aspirin or an alternate blood thinner to limit the risk of blood clots.

Manage blood pressure and cholesterol: Strictly control your cholesterol and blood pressure with medication and lifestyle changes. Your doctor may recommend that your LDL (bad) cholesterol be less than 70 mg/dL and your blood pressure be less than 130/80 mmHg.

Several studies suggest that if these levels are achieved, the risk of serious complications is markedly reduced and plaque growth is essentially halted.

Treat symptoms: If blockages are severe enough to cause symptoms, such as chest pain, you may be put on medication. You also may be offered balloon angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery.

The bottom line: If more people adhere to a healthful lifestyle and treat early symptoms, we can hope fewer will be struck down by this disease’s debilitating symptoms and complications.