There have been several clinical studies — many of them done here at Cleveland Clinic — that show statins can reverse plaque buildup. Two statins in particular, atorvastatin, which is sold under the brand name Lipitor, and rosuvastatin, which is sold under the brand name Crestor, are the strongest statins.
Statins don't just lower cholesterol levels but also reduce the risk of fatty plaques breaking off from walls of your arteries, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke. Some people may be able to reduce their cholesterol to safe levels by changing their diet, or exercising more.
There are many drugs available to treat coronary artery disease, including: Cholesterol drugs. Medications can help lower bad cholesterol and reduce plaque buildup in the arteries. Such drugs include statins, niacin, fibrates and bile acid sequestrants.
In conclusion, rosuvastatin is superior to atorvastatin in the reversion of coronary atherosclerotic plaques. Coronary artery atherosclerosis (CAAS) is a crucial pathophysiological basis of coronary heart disease, and the unstability and rupture of atherosclerotic plaques result in acute coronary syndrome. Libby P.
“This is an important observation that tells us that statins work to stabilize plaques by converting softer, cholesterol-laden plaques that are prone to rupture into more stable calcified plaques that are relatively inert.
More than one in four Americans over 40 take these cholesterol-lowering drugs, for good reason: By reducing blockage in blood vessels, statins reduce the chances of cardiovascular disease (better known as heart disease) and strokes.
Conclusion: Statins do not reduce or enhance CAC as measured by Agatston score in asymptomatic populations at high risk of cardiovascular diseases, but seem to slow down CAC progression.
There isn't one best statin to take. No individual statin has been proven to be best at preventing heart attacks and strokes. But there is evidence that rosuvastatin and atorvastatin decrease harmful cholesterol more than other statins. Some people will clearly benefit from taking a statin.
Public Citizen petitioned the FDA in 2004 and 2005 to recall Crestor. The advocacy organization's health research group documented cases of patients who developed rhabdomyolysis after taking the drug. Rhabdomyolysis is a severe form of muscle damage that can lead to permanent kidney damage, coma and sometimes death.
There is no easy way to unclog an artery once plaque has built up. But, dietary choices, exercise, and avoiding smoking can improve cardiovascular health and stop blockages from worsening. In some cases, medication or surgery may be necessary.
Magnesium prevents calcium buildup in cholesterol plaque in arteries, which leads to clogged arteries. Magnesium levels are inversely associated with cardiovascular disease risk.
Initial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the aorta suggested that statin use might result in atherosclerotic plaque regression as early as 6 months after initiation of therapy [2].
Specifically, lipophilic statins (those that dissolve more readily in lipids such as oils and fats) may be more effective for preventing liver cancer than hydrophilic statins (those that dissolve more readily in water).
It's thought that simvastatin (Zocor) may be more likely to cause muscle pain as a side effect than other statins when it's taken at high doses. Change your dose. Lowering your dose may reduce some of your side effects, but it may also reduce some of the cholesterol-lowering benefits your medicine has.
Despite this, there was no significant difference between the two drugs in how well they decreased the volume of atherosclerotic buildup in the arteries. Both Crestor and Lipitor are generally well tolerated with a similar rate of side effects.
The new bempedoic acid drug – currently called Nexletol – is being developed by US-based Esperion Therapeutics and will go to the Therapeutics Goods Administration for approval for use in Australia.
Atorvastatin seems to be the statin of choice in patients with CKD stages 4–5. Fluvastatin as well as other statins may also be used at more advanced stages of CKD after appropriate dose adjustments.
Bempedoic Acid: A Statin Alternative to Reduce Cholesterol
Bempedoic acid is sold under the brand name Nexletol on its own and as a combination drug with ezetimibe called Nexlizet.
Rotational, orbital or laser atherectomy to cut plaque and calcium out of your artery. Cutting, scoring or high-pressure balloon angioplasty to push plaque with calcium against your artery walls.
The mainstay of treatment is lifestyle changes that can help slow the progression of coronary calcification. These can include smoking cessation, weight loss, alcohol abstinence, along with controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, and lipid levels.
Initiation of statin treatment in patients with carotid artery stenosis leads to a rapid improvement in carotid adventitial angiogenesis/carotid plaque neovascularization (14) and has considerable beneficial effects on carotid plaque composition and volume (15,16).