Coronary plaques are hardened coagulation of fatty deposits with calcium inside arteries. Most patients with a coronary disease have some amount of arterio-calcium because some degree of coronary plaque is already present, even though the obstructive disease is not. Coronary atherosclerosis is a coronary systemic disease process. The atherosclerosis means a stage of arteriosclerosis which involves cholesterol deposition (atheromas) inside the arterial walls.
Coronary plaque is by far the most frequent reason for ischemic heart disease. Who does it affect and at what age and why? Are there medicines available for dissolving the dangerous plaque? Answers to these million dollar questions bear upon them lives of millions of Americans.
Who does it affect?
Coronary plaque is in itself not a disease. It causes many a heart disease down the line. African American race and Italians are more prone to heart diseases generally, owing to their obesity, lifestyles and eating habits. The average age for plaque to develop in ones arteries is around 40 years, however deviation is not uncommon. It affects both males and females but females are more affected. This is perhaps females are more obese having sedentary habits.
Dissolving Coronary Plaque – Available medicines
Dissolving Plaque by removal is known as chelation. Chelation drugs are prescribed by your doctor; however you cannot expect it to be IV as it is not covered by insurance. The medications usually given are vitamins like vitamin E, vitamin C and vitamin B complex. Folic acid of up to 200mcg is also given.
Drugs such as tPA, (tissue type plasminogen activator, an enzyme) and streptokinase is used for dissolving clots in arteries that otherwise along with plaque can be real worry some. This is diagnosed as coronary thrombosis. The mechanisms for the formation of these plaque at blood vessels are not known, it plays its role in the development of coronary wounds.
Coronary plaques make arteries hard and inflexible. With the passage of time the arteries collapse in inner diameter because of plaque formation on the arteries’ walls.
Dissolving coronary plaque is some thing of a new concept. Documented results are not still available. Some instances where plaque has dissolved have been reported.
Playing safe is the mantra if you don’t want an angioplasty or a by-pass surgery. Avoiding fatty food and giving up smoking, alcohol and adapting good fibrous and balanced food is the diet for this. Good exercise regimen helps dissolve plaque to some extent but it prevents plaque formation completely by dissolving cholesterol.