Is coronary artery atherosclerosis serious?

Feb 23, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Aifen
Introduction
Coronary atherosclerosis is generally a serious condition. If the stenosis caused by coronary atherosclerosis exceeds 75%, it may lead to angina pectoris or myocardial infarction, necessitating stent placement. Coronary atherosclerosis refers to the deposition of lipids within the walls of the coronary arteries, resulting in the formation of atherosclerotic plaques and subsequent narrowing of the coronary arterial lumen.

Coronary atherosclerosis generally refers to coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD is a heart condition caused by atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries—leading to narrowing or occlusion of the arterial lumen—and resulting in myocardial ischemia, hypoxia, or infarction. So, how serious is coronary atherosclerosis? The following section addresses this question.

How serious is coronary atherosclerosis?

Coronary atherosclerosis is generally considered a serious condition, as it is one of the primary causes of coronary artery disease (CAD); therefore, active pharmacological treatment is essential.

If stenosis due to coronary atherosclerosis exceeds 75%, it may trigger angina pectoris or myocardial infarction, potentially necessitating stent placement. Coronary atherosclerosis involves the deposition of lipids within the walls of coronary arteries, forming atherosclerotic plaques that narrow the arterial lumen. Oral medications constitute the mainstay of treatment: at least two drugs are typically prescribed. Among antiplatelet agents, enteric-coated aspirin is the most commonly used. For lipid-lowering and plaque stabilization, statins—such as atorvastatin calcium—are the primary therapeutic class.

Coronary atherosclerosis is a chronic, progressive process requiring long-term medication adherence, a low-salt and low-fat diet, regular moderate exercise, weight management, smoking cessation, alcohol restriction, and increased intake of fresh vegetables and fruits. Without consistent medication and healthy lifestyle habits, coronary atherosclerosis may gradually progress to CAD, leading to severe complications.

The above provides an overview of the seriousness of coronary atherosclerosis. We hope this information is helpful to you.

Related Articles

View All