Does statin drugs reduce carotid artery blockage?

Question

It is known statin drugs reduce LDL. My question is, do they reduce the amount of plague already formed on the carotid artery? What reduces the plague? Is the carotid artery blockage a slow process? How fast does it progress? I’d appreciate it you could share some of the related articles.

Answer 1

No statin drugs do not reduce the amount of plaque in your carotid vessels. They only prevent you from making bigger globs of plaque.
Carotid artery plaque formation is different in different people. If they say you are 80% blocked, I imagine your doctor will follow up often to make sure you are not making a lot more plaque.
I am a RN, but this is not my specialty.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Does statin drugs reduce carotid artery blockage?
It is known statin drugs reduce LDL. My question is, do they reduce the amount of plague already formed on the carotid artery? What reduces the plague? Is the carotid artery blockage a slow process? How fast does it progress? I’d appreciate it you could share some of the related articles.

Answer 4

Statin drugs affect an enzyme that makes cholesterol in the liver. No, it doesn't affect the plaque that has already built up in the arteries. As long as you maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise and eat right by avoiding fatty cholesterol laden foods, and be sure to maintain healthy blood sugar levels, the rate at which the plaque builds up will be very gradual. In most cases blockages are found when problems arise and an angioplasty with stent placement is required.

Answer 5

The carotid obstruction is mainly due to atherosclerotic lesions. This is related with diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia , tobacco use, age and familiar factors.
Several pharmacologic therapies are important in its treatment. Aspirin is the cornerstone of antiplatelet therapy for these patients, and there is a growing body of evidence for long-term treatment with thienopyridine inhibitors.
Additionally , statin therapy should be standard in all patients with evidence of atherosclerotic disease, including those with carotid artery atherosclerosis. There is also evident that statin therapy has a positive effect on carotid atherosclerotic lesions. Statin therapy was found to be associate with significant reductions in vessel wall thickness and vessel wall area.
The largest study to evaluate the effect of statins on carotid stenosis –CAIUS- suggest that the benefit of statin therapy in patients with carotid artery atherosclerosis disease may in part be mediated by morphologic effects on early stages of plaque development.
From an invasive standpoint, the percutaneous treatment of carotid atherosclerotic disease has made significant advances since its advent in 1980. It has proven to be safe and preferred approach to patients at high surgical risk and may prove to have much wider application.
Carotid obstruction may be asymptomatic till the 60% of the artery is blocked. Then the risk of TIA – transient ischemic attack – increases and it is necessary to consider invasive therapy.
As mentioned, the treatment through catheter and stent – percutaneous treatment – of carotid atherosclerotic disease is proven to be safe and still developing new applications. Medical therapy is necessary indeed to reduce the incidence of complications in severe obstructions and prevent further advance of the disease on early stages.
In summary, statin reduces the plaque size according to the mentioned scientific information in early stages .
The carotid artery blockage starts slowly forming the plaque, but can increase the size quickly if there is complication within the plaque or some condition that adds up a clug to it. It can also be a very slow process that gives time to create a colateral -alternative- circulation that prevents lack of blood supply due to the carotid obstruction.
You can get more specifical information in the references that I attach underneath.
I hope this information would be useful for you,
Fro, MD

Answer 6

NO, 15 years on statins abosolutely perfect readings, perfect stress tests, and had 2 by passes after 15 yrs.. 21 months before that at Yale had a hearth cath with no blockages. Hearth caths are only good for that minute. statin drugs will not stop a blockage.

Answer 7

it has been shown that High doses of Crestor can reduce plaque build up , but it takes a long time , I would stick with aspprin and Plavix

Answer 8

I am so pleased I came across your question as I will be interested to hear the answers too.

Answer 9

Read these

http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/chris/2003/11/07/bad_news_about_statin_drugs.htm

http://www.webmd.com/hw/stroke/hw224563.asp