Treatment for Carotid Artery Stenosis With Cholesterol Medications

According to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, carotid artery stenosis is the cause of at least half of the annual strokes in the United States. Proper treatment with medication designed to lower cholesterol is one element of minimizing this risk.

Significance

• Carotid artery disease is also called carotid artery stenosis and refers to a blockage of oxygen-carrying blood flow to the brain. "The narrowing is usually caused by plaque in a blood vessel," according to the American Heart Association. "Plaque forms when cholesterol, fat and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery (atherosclerosis)."

Risk Factors

• High cholesterol, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, obesity and a lack of exercise increase the risk of developing carotid artery stenosis.

Changes

• Lifestyle changes, including an improved diet that limits cholesterol intake is vital. "Controlling your blood cholesterol may not be possible with diet alone," says the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. "Medications used for lowering blood cholesterol have been effective in preventing the progression of atherosclerosis."

Medications

• Treatment for carotid artery stenosis with cholesterol medications typically is focused on a class of drugs known as statins. They are especially effective at lowering bad cholesterol. Other types include fibrates, resins and niacin (nicotinic acid).

Considerations

• Anti-platelet medications such as aspirin do not relieve high cholesterol but serve to reduce the risk of stroke in those suffering from carotid artery stenosis. Clopidogrel, dipyridamole and warfarin are anticoagulants prescribed to minimize the possibility of blood clots.