Medicines to Treat Atherosclerosis

Definition

Atherosclerosis is the final result of the progressive thickening of the arteries, responsible for slowing down the blood flow in the various anatomical sites; we are talking about a complex chronic inflammatory disease, in which we witness the formation of lipid plaques (atheromas) inside of medium and large caliber arteries.

Causes

The precise triggering cause of atherosclerosis is not known, although many risk factors have been identified: advanced age, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, obesity / overweight, genetic predisposition, sedentary lifestyle, male sex, smoking.

Symptoms

Atherosclerosis proceeds slowly; the mild forms can progress without causing any symptoms. Generally, the affected patient does not complain of any symptoms until the narrowing of the artery is so important as to prevent the physiological flow of blood in the anatomical sites . The most common symptoms are: aphasia, intermittent claudication, mental confusion, cramps, weakness, erectile dysfunction, chest pain, tingling, headache, partial paralysis, dizziness

The formation of atherosclerotic plaques can completely block blood flow, or rupture the artery and trigger a heart attack or stroke.

Diet and Nutrition

Supplements

The information on Atherosclerosis - Atherosclerosis Treatment Drugs is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Atherosclerosis - Atherosclerosis Treatment Drugs.

Medicines

Although atherosclerosis is an avoidable disease, at the same time it can be extremely dangerous, considering the risk of the disease developing into heart attacks and strokes. Prevention is the best cure: we have seen that "obesity is one of the predisposing factors" atherosclerosis, consequently, it is recommended to follow a low-calorie diet, decrease weight and practice constant physical exercise.
For the same reason, patients suffering from atherosclerosis or otherwise at risk should stop smoking; hypertensive patients should constantly monitor blood pressure values, to avoid very high peaks which, as analyzed, can predispose the subject to atherosclerosis and its complications. Similar speech for patients with high cholesterol: it is recommended to undergo regular checks of the blood and to follow a low-calorie diet low in lipids, to guarantee the body a correct level of cholesterol in the blood.
According to this, it is clear that an intervention on risk factors and behavioral habits can often block the cascade of events that would inevitably lead to the formation of atheromas.
Atherosclerosis is today a treatable disease: the respect of some behavioral rules, the prevention of risk factors and, possibly, the administration of specific drugs can not only block the degeneration of the disease but also and above all favor its regression.

The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against atherosclerosis, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:

Medicines for the treatment of high cholesterol: it seems to be the most important therapy for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis: the reduction of cholesterol levels reduces the risk of formation of atherosclerotic plaques.
Fibrates and statins are the drugs of choice for the treatment of high cholesterol, also in the context or in the prevention of atherosclerosis; equally useful are niacin and the administration of selective inhibitors of the intestinal absorption of cholesterol, which excellently exert their hypo-cholesterol-lowering activity by reducing the risk of formation of atherosclerotic plaques. The following are the drugs most used in therapy for this purpose:

Gemfibrozil (eg. Lopid, Genlip, Gemfibrozil DOC): the drug belongs to the class of fibrates. For the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, the normally recommended dosage is 600 mg of active, to be taken orally, twice a day, preferably 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner.
Simvastatin (eg Zocor, Simvastat, Omistat, Quibus, Setorilin). The drug belongs to the class of statins. It is recommended to start treatment with a dose ranging from 10 to 20 mg, to be taken orally, once a day. The maintenance dose involves taking 5-40 mg of active daily (once a day, in the evening). Sometimes Simvastatin is formulated with other active ingredients, such as Sitagliptin (eg Juvisync, Januvia, Xelevia) - useful for fighting diabetes in the context of hypercholesterolemia - and the cholesterol-lowering drug ezetimibe (eg Vytorin, Zetia).
Colesevelam (eg Cholestagel): the drug is a resin sequestering bile acids, indicated for the treatment of high cholesterol. It is recommended to take 4-6 tablets (625 mg) per day, preferably in conjunction with meals. If necessary, take the drug in divided doses during the 24 hours. Colesevelam is also available in combination with statins.

Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs: indicated to prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and thrombi inside the vessels: the platelets, aggregating, can in fact create a blood clot and block the blood flow.

Acetylsalicylic acid (eg Asprina, Cardioaspirin, Aspirinetta): indicatively, take one tablet of 100 mg of active ingredient per day, with plenty of water, after meals. Low-dose aspirin therapy reduces the risk of atherosclerosis (for prevention) and degeneration of the disease (when it is in progress). However, the dosage should be perfected by the doctor based on the severity of the condition.
Clopidogrel (Plavix, Zyllt, Zylagren, Zopya, Iscover, Grepid, Clopidogrel Winthrop, Clopidogrel Acino): the drug is an antiplatelet agent used in therapy for "atherosclerosis. The antiplatelet activity of clopidogrel is useful to prevent the formation of thrombus. (blood clots) in the arteries of the patient at risk or suffering from atherosclerosis. The drug is an "alternative to" acetylsalicylic acid. The dosage and method of administration of the drug must be established by the physician on the basis of the severity of the disease and the response to treatment.
Warfarin (eg Coumadin): the therapeutic utility of this drug is comparable to that of clopidogrel. For the posology: consult your doctor.

Nature also offers numerous drugs with antiplatelet activity: garlic, ginkgo biloba, blueberry, nutmeg.
Furthermore, it seems that the extract of these drugs also exerts hypofibrinogenizing properties, that is, useful for the prevention of thrombus.

Antihypertensive drugs: the administration of these drugs in the context of atherosclerosis is useful to prevent complications of the disease. Furthermore, it seems that the control of blood pressure values is a preventive practice of atherosclerosis, especially in women. The drugs most used in therapy are: beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, thiazide diuretics and calcium antagonists; below, some examples:

Acebutolol hydrochloride (eg Prent, Sectral): the drug belongs to the beta block class. For the treatment of arterial hypertension in the prevention of atherosclerosis, take 1 tablet of 200 mg of the drug, preferably before breakfast. It is possible to gradually increase the dosage up to a maximum of 400 mg per day.
Enalapril Maleato (Ex.Converten): for the treatment of hypertension, this drug (ACE inhibitor) is often used in combination with other antihypertensive drugs (eg. Hydrochlorothiazide: Rasitrio, Esidrex); for this purpose, it is recommended to take the drug at a dosage of 5 -20 mg, formulated in tablets However, it is the physician's duty to establish the most suitable dosage for the patient.
Furosemide (eg. Lasix, Spirofur, Fluss): the drug belongs to the class of loop diuretics, and is also prescribed for the treatment of hypertension in the prevention of atherosclerosis: it is recommended to take 1-3 tablets of 25 mg per say, based on the severity of the condition.
Nitrendipine (eg Baypress): calcium antagonist drug particularly indicated to treat arterial hypertension, also to prevent atherosclerosis. It is recommended to start the treatment with 20 mg of the drug per day, in the morning after breakfast; It is also possible to take half a tablet, twice a day.

Medicines for the treatment of diabetes: as analyzed, hyperglycemia can also predispose the patient to the development of atherosclerosis. Once again the importance of prevention in a similar pathology is emphasized: following a therapy aimed at treating diabetes is important to prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and to avoid complications in the event of an ascertained diagnosis.
The most suitable drugs are oral hypoglycemic agents: sulfonylureas, biguanides and glitazones; Here are some examples:

Metformin (eg. Metforal, Glucophage, Eucreas, Efficib, Avandamet, Glibomet): the drug belongs to the class of biguanides which, as we know, are the most suitable drugs for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus in obese patients at risk of atherosclerosis . Generally, it is recommended to start therapy with a 500 mg tablet, to be taken orally 2-3 times a day, during or after main meals, without exceeding 3 g per day. 850 mg and 1 g tablets are also available. Consult your doctor. The drug is also available in formulation with other active ingredients, such as Vildagliptin (eg. Galvus) and sitagliptin (dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 inhibitors), Rosiglitazone (activator of PPAR gamma receptors: eg. Avandia, Avandamet) and Glibenclamide (inhibits the channel al potassium).
Glibenclamide (eg. Daonil, Euglucon): the drug belongs to the class of sulfonylureas, indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. At the beginning of antidiabetic therapy, it is recommended to take half a 5 mg tablet (corresponding to 2.5 mg), before the main meal, with a large glass of water. It is possible to gradually increase the dose; do not exceed 2-3 tablets per day (10-15 mg).
Pioglitazone (eg. Actos, Glustin): belonging to the class of glitazones, it is recommended to start therapy by taking small doses of the drug (half a tablet, equivalent to 15 mg) or one whole tablet a day, at once, with or without food Consult your doctor.

The latest generation drugs for the treatment of diabetes are Exenatide and Sitagliptin.

Food therapy for the prevention of atherosclerosis:

It seems that even a particular diet, focused on the intake of some foods rather than others, can prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques: a diet rich in OMEGA 3 seems in fact to ward off cardiovascular diseases in patients at risk: in fact, these substances ( of which fish, seeds and linseed oil are rich) help to reduce plasma levels of triglycerides (antithrombotic activity). But that's not all: thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties, omega 3 are useful to avoid breakage of pre-existing atherosclerotic plaques. For the secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, especially in patients with a previous history of heart attack, it is recommended to take 1 gram per day of omega 3 (eg Seacor, Eskim, Esapent).

If drug therapy is not sufficient for the remission of symptoms or to reverse the disease, it is probably necessary to subject the patient to one or more of the following surgical procedures:

Endoarterectomy: consists of the surgical removal of fatty deposits from the walls of the arteries
Thrombolytic therapy
Insertion of an aortic bypass
Angioplasty: indicated to eliminate or in any case decrease the narrowings created inside the arteries, typical signs of atherosclerosis.