Against Arteriosclerosis Will there be no clogged arteries soon?

New treatment for arteriosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis clogs the arteries and can lead to a number of cardiovascular problems. A clinical trial could now pave the way for a new treatment that reduces the incidence of arteriosclerosis.

Researchers at the University of Iowa found in their study that effective treatment of early atherosclerosis is possible. Their findings may open up new approaches to prevention and therapy. The physicians published the results of their research in the journal "Journal of the American Heart Association"..

B-lipoproteins play an important role

The key to the new type of treatment could be so-called B-lipoproteins in young people and middle-aged adults, says study author Professor Dr. Jennifer G. Robinson of the University of Iowa. These blood proteins (also called apolipoprotein B) include low-density lipoprotein (LDL), often referred to as unhealthy cholesterol. LDL and other B-lipoproteins are among the leading causes of atherosclerosis, the experts explain.

Atherosclerosis can be reversed?

Lowering these blood proteins can have a major impact on how atherosclerosis develops. With their help, the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes could be massively reduced if the symptoms of atherosclerosis can be reversed. Robinson.

Statins and PCSK9 inhibitors may reverse atherosclerosis?

A study now planned aims to re-examine whether it is possible to reverse atherosclerosis in high-risk patients aged 25 to 55 years if taking these statins and PCSK9 inhibitors over a three-year period. Both statins and PCSK9 inhibitors lower LDL cholesterol in the blood. For example, cholesterol should be kept very low for a short time in order to dissolve all of the early cholesterol buildup and cure the arteries. In animal experiments, this method of treatment was already successful. Patients may need to be re-treated every one or two decades as atherosclerosis begins to develop again, say the experts.

What are the plaques??

Atherosclerosis, in which plaques accumulate in the arteries, blocks blood flow and prevents oxygen-rich blood from flowing through the blood vessels to supply the rest of the body. The plaques consist of various substances in the blood, such as fat, cholesterol and calcium. Over time, these plaques begin to harden and attach themselves to the vessel walls. When they do, they narrow the arteries, explain the physicians. This means that affected health care regions in the body no longer receive as much oxygen-rich blood as they need, which can have serious consequences, including potentially fatal heart attacks and strokes.

So you can reduce your risk of atherosclerosis

There are some risk factors for atherosclerosis that people can control themselves, including unhealthy blood cholesterol levels. High LDL levels and low levels of high-density lipoprotein or cholesterol are among the main causes of the disease. Other risk factors include hypertension, smoking, insulin resistance, diabetes, obesity and a lack of physical activity. An unhealthy diet can also be a factor, especially for people who eat a lot of foods that are high in saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium and sugar. (As)