What should we do and how to treat atherosclerosis in arteries?

A friend told Huazi that he was diagnosed with coronary atherosclerosis during a physical examination. How did this disease develop? Is there any specific medicine to treat it? Huazi told him that the occurrence of atherosclerosis is mainly related to damage to the intima of the artery, and once it occurs, it cannot be completely cured.

But there is no need to worry too much, because atherosclerosis progresses slowly. As long as the drugs are used reasonably and the relevant risk factors are controlled, there will not be much danger.

1. Why does atherosclerosis occur? In healthy conditions, the intima of the arteries is dense and complete, but under the influence of factors such as aging, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, high blood sugar, smoking, etc., the intima of the arteries will be damaged. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood will enter the arterial membrane from the damaged area.

LDL-C that enters the arterial intima will be swallowed by macrophages, eventually forming foam cells that are deposited in the arterial intima, forming the lipid core of the hardened plaque. These foam cells appear as small yellowish particles that look like millet porridge, so they are also called atherosclerosis.

2. Dangers of atherosclerosis Atherosclerosis first appears in adolescence, forming "fatty streaks" on the inner wall of the artery, and then slowly progresses to atherosclerosis over a period of decades. It usually takes decades for atherosclerotic plaques to cause severe narrowing or blockage of the arteries.

However, factors such as aging, "three highs", smoking, and obesity will accelerate the progression of plaques and increase their instability, which may cause plaques to rupture. Ruptured plaques will induce platelet aggregation and form thrombi, which are the main causes of cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction. The danger of atherosclerosis lies mainly in plaque rupture.

3. Treatment of atherosclerosis To reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, it is necessary to prevent the progression of hardened plaques. It is necessary to use drugs to control the "three highs", and to live a healthy lifestyle, quit smoking and drinking, and control weight. The diet should be low in sugar and fat, and avoid eating fatty meat and animal offal.

Statins can treat atherosclerosis. They can not only reduce LDL-C levels and prevent plaque progression, but also improve the metabolism of the arterial lining and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Long-term use of the drug can increase the density of plaques and reduce their volume, producing a plaque reversal effect. They can also stabilize plaques and make them less likely to rupture.

However, to achieve the effect of reversing plaques, two conditions need to be met.

First, the LDL-C level needs to reach the standard. In relevant studies, the LDL-C level must be at least below 2.6mmol/L to produce a plaque reversal effect, but it is best to drop below 1.8mmol/L. In severe cases, it needs to be lowered to below 1.4mmol/L. If statins alone cannot reach the LDL-C standard, they can be used in combination with cholesterol absorption inhibitors and PCSK9 inhibitors.

Second, the medication needs to be taken for a long enough time. In related studies, continuous use of statins for at least 6 months will have a reversal effect, but more people need to continue taking the medication for more than 2 to 4 years before the plaques will be reversed. Existing studies have shown that the longer statins are taken, the greater the benefits to the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular system.

In summary, atherosclerosis is related to damage to the arterial lining caused by aging, "three highs", obesity and other factors. Controlling related factors can delay or stop the progression of plaques. Rational use of statins can reverse plaques. Drugs must be used under the guidance of a doctor. If you have any questions about medication, please consult a doctor or pharmacist. I am pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.