In addition to invasive approaches, medications and lifestyle changes can slow or prevent the progression of atherosclerosis. The goals of medical therapy are to improve symptoms that a patient might have and to lower a patient's future risk of cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke. A diet that is low in fat and cholesterol will help to lower blood cholesterol level and slow the build-up of atherosclerosis, or plaque. Regular exercise with weight loss will also help to lower blood cholesterol in addition to lowering blood pressure and lowering blood sugars for patients with diabetes. One of the most important lifestyle changes a patient can make is quitting smoking.
Smoking dramatically promotes the development of atherosclerosis.
Medicines for atherosclerosis are directed at the issues, or modifiable risk factors, that promote plaque. These include high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes. Each of these issues needs to be aggressively addressed in a patient with coronary artery disease. Recent data suggests that some blood pressure medicines may be better than others for lowering the risk of future cardiac events. These include angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE-inhibitors.