Atherosclerosis | What It Is, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment Options

2) Pharmacotherapy

Different medications can be used to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. These include statins, which help reduce cholesterol levels, and Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, which help with blood pressure control. These medications can be taken in pill form or injected.

Pharmacotherapy for atherosclerosis is not specific for the disease. Instead, it treats underlying diseases and complications of the disease. For instance, patients with high blood pressure need a pressure-lowering medication such as atenolol. Patients with high blood fat levels will benefit from statin treatment. And if you already have atherosclerosis complications, some medications can work for you. For example, nitroglycerin in patients with angina.

Pharmacotherapy may also include anti-inflammatory treatment with supplements such as curcumin, which has been found to reduce cardiovascular risk by improving the inflammatory profile.