What tests are used for arteriosclerosis?

Written by Zeng Wei Jie
Cardiology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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If arteriosclerosis is in the early stages, we need to understand the situation with lipids and blood sugar, so lipid and blood glucose tests should be done. Later on, when some atheromatous plaques appear, examinations such as color Doppler ultrasound and cardiac echocardiography can be done to assess blood flow and the degree of narrowing in the vessels. For some severe narrowings, consider conducting a CTA, MRI, or angiography, which can non-invasively understand the lesions of arteriosclerosis. For some patients, if there is a need for interventional treatment, invasive, selective arterial angiography can be performed to understand the condition of the lesions. Therefore, different tests can be chosen at different stages.

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How long can one live with arteriosclerosis?

Arteriosclerosis has a certain impact on survival and longevity, but it is not an absolute determinant. People with mild arteriosclerosis have fewer sudden incidents of cerebral infarction and myocardial infarction, thus they may have a longer survival period. However, if arteriosclerosis leads to myocardial infarction or cerebral infarction, it will also affect their lifespan, but there is no absolute conclusion.

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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.

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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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Is coronary arteriosclerosis serious?

The severity of arterial atherosclerosis is related to the location of the lesion and the narrowing it causes in the coronary arteries. This is because if the blood flow through the coronary arteries is insufficient to meet the metabolic demands of the heart muscle, it can lead to ischemia and hypoxia of the heart muscle, causing angina. Severe and prolonged ischemia can lead to myocardial necrosis, or myocardial infarction. When there is significant narrowing in the coronary artery lumen, for instance more than 50%-75%, the situation can be compensated during rest. However, during exercise or rapid heart rate or emotional excitation, the oxygen demand of the heart muscle increases. This may result in mild or transient myocardial oxygen supply, or an imbalance between supply and demand. Another scenario involves unstable atherosclerotic plaques that rupture, erode, or bleed, leading to platelet aggregation or thrombus formation, causing a rapid worsening of luminal narrowing. This results in a decreased supply of oxygen to heart muscle, leading to acute coronary syndrome, which is very severe. In fact, the degree of coronary artery atherosclerosis is positively correlated with plaque stability, plaque location, and the elasticity of the coronary artery.

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What medicine to take for arteriosclerosis?

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.)