What medicine to take for arteriosclerosis?

Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Drug therapy is an important component of the treatment for atherosclerosis and mainly includes the following types. The first is to regulate blood sugar and lipids, keeping them under control to slow down the process of atherosclerosis. The second involves taking antiplatelet medications to prevent the formation of blood clots, especially since some plaques, particularly soft plaques, are prone to rupture. For some patients who have already formed blood clots, thrombolytic therapy might be considered, but this is not typically necessary for all patients. Additionally, because high blood pressure can accelerate the progression of atherosclerosis, some patients also need to take antihypertensive drugs. For patients with narrowed blood vessels and severe symptoms, such as angina, vasodilators, including nitrates, might be used. Therefore, the treatment choices may vary depending on the severity of the condition, and the modes of drug therapy differ. (Note: Specific medications should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
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Risk factors for arteriosclerosis

The etiology of atherosclerosis is not yet fully understood, but the main risk factors include age and gender. The older the age, the higher the probability of occurrence, and the probability in men is higher than in women. Abnormal blood lipids, with the main treatment target being low-density lipoprotein, hypertension, smoking, glucose tolerance abnormalities, and obesity are all possible risk factors. Additionally, we cannot ignore family history; if there is a history of early-onset coronary heart disease in the family, then this risk factor is also very high. Moreover, personality is related, with Type A personalities being more prone to atherosclerosis. Dietary habits are also related; patients who often eat high-calorie, high-animal-fat, high-cholesterol foods are prone to develop the condition. There are also patients taking oral contraceptives, who are likely to develop atherosclerosis.

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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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Early symptoms of arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis often has many symptoms, which mainly depend on the location of the arteriosclerosis. For example, patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis often experience dizziness, headaches, or confusion, If it is coronary arteriosclerosis, it often causes symptoms of chest tightness or shortness of breath in patients, which tend to be more obvious or worsen after activity, If it is lower limb arteriosclerosis, it often causes pain when walking, which can disappear or significantly reduce after rest.

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Written by Zhang Yue Mei
Cardiology
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What tea to drink for arteriosclerosis?

Patients with arteriosclerosis can drink various types of tea, including green tea, black tea, chrysanthemum tea, goji berry tea, and ginseng tea. These teas can be consumed to increase blood flow, renew knowledge, enhance circulation, cleanse the blood vessels, and alleviate arteriosclerosis. However, one should not rely solely on drinking tea to treat arteriosclerosis. It is also necessary to use certain medications and adjust dietary structures, adopting a low-fat, low-salt, low-sugar diet, avoiding animal liver and fatty meats, reducing the intake of fried foods, and abstaining from high-cholesterol foods such as cream, fish roe, and shrimp.

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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.