How is arteriosclerosis treated?

Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
Updated on September 18, 2024
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The treatment of arteriosclerosis includes general preventive measures, pharmacological treatment interventions, and surgical interventions. General protective measures include reasonable dietary practices, appropriate physical exercise, proper arrangement of work and life, maintaining a pleasant mood, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and controlling some disease-related risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, etc. The main pharmacological treatment focuses on lipid-lowering and antiplatelet medication. For some patients with symptoms of angina pectoris, such as symptoms of target organ damage, treatment may involve dilating the blood vessels. Interventional treatment indications are now relatively broad. For some who are not suitable for interventional procedures, surgical treatments can be considered.

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Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
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How to eliminate atherosclerotic plaques?

Arterial plaques associated with atherosclerosis are generally impossible to completely eliminate, but it is feasible to prevent the progression of the disease and strive for stable reversal. Achieving stability and reversal involves a balanced diet, appropriate physical and athletic activity, maintaining a positive mood, quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption, and actively controlling hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and obesity. Additionally, some medications that stabilize plaques may be necessary, mainly including lipid-modifying statins. For patients with soft plaques who are at risk of acute cardiovascular events, it may also be necessary to take anti-vascular medications. For those already showing signs of organ ischemia, interventional or surgical treatment may even be needed. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
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Causes of Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis, the most common and important type of arteriosclerosis, is characterized by thickening and hardening of the arterial walls, loss of elasticity, and narrowing of the lumen. The causes are currently considered to be related to several factors, including age and gender, with older males being more prone. Patients with abnormal blood lipids, hypertension, smokers, those with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, obese patients, and those with a family history are all more likely to develop arteriosclerosis. Due to the incomplete certainty of the causes, its prevention and control are also managed through multiple factors.

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Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
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The earliest lesions of arteriosclerosis

The earliest lesion of atherosclerosis is the formation of lipid spots and streaks. The so-called lipid spots are small yellow dots that appear on the arterial intima. Under pathological observation, these are small areas of macrophages containing lipid droplets, forming a cluster of foam cells. As this small yellow dot develops, it gradually turns into a yellow streak made up of layers of macrophages containing lipids. The intima also comprises smooth muscle cells and lipids, as well as an infiltration of T cells, resembling a yellow streak on the intima.

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Written by Chen Ya
Geriatrics
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Can arteriosclerosis be cured?

Atherosclerosis can only slow down its further progression and prevent the further occurrence of conditions such as coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction, and lower limb arterial occlusion. This is because it is influenced by many factors, including both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. For example, modifiable factors include abnormal blood lipids, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and overweight obesity, which we can change. However, there are also non-modifiable factors such as age, genetics, and environmental factors. As age increases, the incidence of atherosclerosis significantly rises. Its pathological changes generally begin in childhood or adolescence, with symptoms becoming more apparent as age progresses.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Arteriosclerosis is a disease

Arteriosclerosis is a disease characterized by thickening of the arterial wall and narrowing of the arterial lumen due to plaque formation, leading to various problems. As for whether arteriosclerosis can be prevented and treated, the answer is definitely yes. This can be achieved by maintaining good lifestyle habits. Regular exercise, quitting smoking, and controlling blood pressure and blood sugar with medications under a doctor’s guidance, as well as appropriate use of statin medications, can effectively prevent and treat the onset, progression, and worsening of arteriosclerosis.