Coronary Artery Disease: Treatments and Medicines
What are the treatments for CAD?
There are three main treatments for EAC: drugs, surgical procedures that open blocked arteries, such as angioplasty and bypass surgery or referral. The results of each of these treatments may not be the same for women and for men. None of these treatments cures heart disease. It is also important to make changes in lifestyle: eat a healthy diet low in saturated fat, get plenty of exercise and not smoking. People with diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol need to be careful to follow the treatment plan prescribed by their physicians.
What medicines are used to treat CHD?
Often the first step in treating heart disease are drugs. Drugs can relax the arteries that carry blood to the heart, slow the heart rate and blood pressure. Other medications may “thin” the blood and prevent blood clots. Some common types of medicines used are nitroglycerin, beta-blockers and calcium antagonists. Drugs are also used to treat elevated blood cholesterol and control diabetes, if necessary.Thrombolytics are medicines “that clot-busting” and are used to treat heart attacks. These drugs can quickly dissolve blood clots that clog arteries, open the arteries and restore blood flow to the heart. When used quickly enough, can prevent or limit heart muscle damage and stop a heart attack in progress. However, clot-busting drugs should be administered immediately after the onset of symptoms of heart attack. To be most effective, should be administered within one hour following the start of heart attack symptoms.
Aspirin helps reduce the risk of heart attacks in people who have already had one. It also helps to keep arteries open in those who have previously undergone a heart bypass (heart bypass) or other artery-opening procedure such as coronary angioplasty. However, aspirin can cause bleeding in the stomach and has other risks. The Food and Drug Administration has not approved the use of aspirin to prevent heart attacks in healthy people. Talk to your doctor about whether taking aspirin is right for you.