Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List
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Treatment of Atherosclerosis
Lifestyle changes will help prevent the formation and growth of plaques including: a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet, losing weight (if overweight), regular exercise, controlling blood pressure, and not smoking.
Lipid-lowering medication including statins can be used to lower cholesterol levels by an average of 25-30% when combined with a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Aspirin is also known to helps prevent thrombosis.
Coronary angioplasty also called balloon angioplasty, balloon dilatation or PTCA (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty) is a procedure in which a catheter with a balloon on the end is passed from a blood vessel in the thigh into the blocked artery. The balloon is inflated which applies pressure to the plaque to enlarge the blood vessel, and open the blocked artery. Coronary angioplasty is performed by a specialist in hospital. In approximately 30% of people the artery narrows again within six months. The procedure can however be repeated and a stent may be placed in the artery to help keep it open.
Coronary artery bypass surgery is a diversion around the blockage using a healthy vein or artery. This is carried out in a hospital under general anaesthesia and uses a heart-lung machine.
In an atherectomy, a specialist shaves off and removes strips of plaque from the blocked artery or a catheter with a laser tip is inserted to burn or break down the plaque. Coronary angioplasty or the insertion of a stent may be used after an atherectomy.
