Can atherosclerosis be cured?

Written by Li Hai Wen

Cardiology

Updated on February 10, 2025

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Atherosclerosis is a very common disease in daily life. Many patients, after being diagnosed with atherosclerosis, often ask doctors "Can my atherosclerosis be cured?" The answer is no, as atherosclerosis cannot be completely cured.

However, this does not mean that atherosclerosis is untreatable. From a medical perspective, controlling blood pressure, lipids, and blood sugar, maintaining good lifestyle habits, exercising regularly, quitting smoking, controlling weight, and following a doctor's guidance to properly take medications can effectively control the onset and progression of atherosclerosis.

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Causes of Arteriosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis, the most common and important type of arteriosclerosis, is characterized by thickening and hardening of the arterial walls, loss of elasticity, and narrowing of the lumen. The causes are currently considered to be related to several factors, including age and gender, with older males being more prone. Patients with abnormal blood lipids, hypertension, smokers, those with diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance, obese patients, and those with a family history are all more likely to develop arteriosclerosis. Due to the incomplete certainty of the causes, its prevention and control are also managed through multiple factors.

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The difference between arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis

Arteriosclerosis is the most common and most important among a group of vascular diseases called arteriosclerosis. The common characteristics of various arteriosclerosis include thickening, hardening, loss of elasticity, and narrowing of the arterial walls. The characteristic of arteriosclerosis is that the affected arterial lesions start from the intima, with various lesions coexisting, including local accumulation of papyraceous and complex carbohydrates, proliferation of fibrous tissue, and formation of plaques due to calcification, along with gradual degradation of the arterial media. Secondary lesions include intraplaque hemorrhage, plaque rupture, and local thrombosis formation. Modern cellular and molecular biology techniques show that arteriosclerotic lesions are characterized by migration of macrophages, proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and abundant formation of fibrous, collagen, elastic fibers, and proteoglycans as connective tissue matrices, as well as intra- and extracellular lipid accumulation. Because the lipid accumulation in the intima appears yellow and mushy, it is called arteriosclerosis. Although arteriosclerosis is only one type of arteriosclerosis, it is commonly referred to simply as arteriosclerosis due to its frequent occurrence and significant clinical relevance.

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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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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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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.