Lifestyle Modification

• Treatment through lifestyle modification is a typical first option for atherosclerosis. Appropriate steps in this area can slow or halt the progression of disease. With your doctor's approval, begin a program of regular exercise. In addition to improving your circulation and allowing your muscles to use existing oxygen more efficiently, exercise can promote the natural growth of new blood vessels to bypass any areas of excessive plaque buildup. Try to exercise most days of the week for a total period of 30 minutes to an hour each day. If necessary, break your overall exercise time into smaller segments. If your days are busy, try to get your time in by taking walks at lunchtime or using the stairs instead of an elevator. You may also try exercising while doing normally inactive things such as working at your desk or watching television.
  
  If you smoke, quit. Do what you can to maintain a healthy body weight, including switching to a diet based on whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Diminish your intake of high fat foods, cholesterol and sodium. Read food labels to educate yourself about the impact of your diet. Devise alternatives to unhealthy foods that will satisfy at least some of your habitual food cravings. Consult a nutritionist to create a workable healthy eating plan. Additionally, consider taking a stress management class to diminish the effects of stress on your health.
  
  

Medication

• If your atherosclerosis requires medical treatment, there are many options available. High levels of "bad" cholesterol, which are blamed for the buildup of artery plaque, can be lowered by a variety of medications, and levels of "good" HDL cholesterol can be raised. Potential choices for your doctor to prescribe include fibrate drugs such as gemfibrozil (LOPID) and statin drugs such as rosuvastatin (Crestor) and atorvastatin (Lipitor). If blood clots are a concern, your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin). Blood pressure concerns can be addressed by use of calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or beta blockers. Platelet clumping in narrow arteries can be addressed by medications such as aspirin, which reduce this tendency. Your doctor may also prescribe additional medications to treat other factors related to atherosclerosis. Be aware that atherosclerosis medications typically carry significant risk of side effects. Make sure you thoroughly discuss all prescribed treatments with your doctor.
  
  

Surgery

• If your atherosclerosis requires surgical relief, your doctor may recommend one of several procedures. Bypass surgery is used to create new passageways for arterial blood. Angioplasty uses an inserted balloon to compress plaque against your artery walls. Endarterectomy involves surgically removing plaque buildup from artery walls. Thrombolytic therapy unblocks blood clots through direct injection of medication into an affected artery. Consult your doctor for a full explanation of these procedures.