Atherosclerosis is a cardiovascular disease where the arteries become hardened and narrowed due to a buildup of plaque around the artery wall. As a result, blood flow is disrupted throughout the body and serious cardiovascular complications can develop, such as stroke or heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, one in every 2.9 deaths in the United States are due to cardiovascular complications, and atherosclerosis contributes to a large portion of these fatalities.
Causes and Symptoms of Atherosclerosis
Specifically, atherosclerosis is due to fat and macro-phage white blood cells that accumulate in the arteries. When these substances stick to an artery, the normal elimination of the macro-phages out of the arteries is inhibited. Other factors like high levels of cholesterol, smoking, high blood pressure, genetics, diabetes and high levels of sugar in the blood can also trigger atherosclerosis. Typically, blood tests, ultrasound and CT scans are used to diagnose atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis can occur in the carotid, coronary, renal and peripheral arteries. The carotid arteries supply blood to the brain, and a person suffering from stroke may experience paralysis, weakness or facial numbness. Coronary arteries supply blood to the heart, and atherosclerosis in these arteries can lead to a heart attack. Common symptoms include chest pain, feeling faint and vomiting. Renal arteries supply blood to the kidneys. If the blood supply is limited, there’s a risk of developing kidney disease. Symptoms may include swelling of the hands and feet and loss of appetite. The peripheral arteries provide blood flow to the legs. If the blood flow is blocked, the most common symptom is pain in the hips, thighs and calves.
Treatment Options for Atherosclerosis
Treatment options for atherosclerosis include lifestyle changes, medication and surgery. Doctors often recommend to limit the intake of alcohol, sodium and saturated fats. Lifestyle changes include a healthy diet, physical activity and weight management. Prescribed medications to reduce bad cholesterol levels and plaque build-up like Crestor are often recommended. In severe cases, surgical procedures, such as coronary artery bypass or angioplasty, may be needed.
Crestor and Atherosclerosis
Physicians often prescribe Crestor when exercise and diet aren’t enough to lower the bad cholesterol associated with atherosclerosis. This medication helps lower bad cholesterol by 52 percent. It also slows the progression of plaque buildup in arteries. Clinical trials of Crestor have demonstrated its effectiveness.
The Eclipse trial involved 1,036 high-risk patients with high cholesterol. This clinical trial lasted for 24 weeks, and participants were divided into groups who took the statin Lipitor and the statin Crestor. Cholesterol levels were measured at different dosages and time points. At each dose comparison and time point, those patients taking Crestor achieved the goal of less than 100 mg/dL for bad cholesterol when compared to those taking Lipitor.
The Stellar trial took place over six weeks with 2,240 participants who had high cholesterol. Patients were divided into groups receiving either Crestor, Lipitor, Zocor and Pravachol. Once again, Crestor outperformed the others in lowering cholesterol levels.
As reported by Dr. John Crouse, professor and lead researcher of endocrinology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, an international study using ultrasound technology found that Crestor was also effective at slowing down changes in blood vessels that can lead to atherosclerosis. This was the first study to evaluate the effectiveness of Crestor in a group of individuals who had a low risk for heart attacks over a two-year period. The study included 984 participants. Female participants were between 55 and 70 years of age, and male participants were 45 to 70 years of age. In the group, 282 received a placebo, and 702 received 40 mg of Crestor every day. It was found that Crestor therapy lowered bad cholesterol by 49 percent, increased high density lipoprotein by 8 percent and reduced triglycerides by 16 percent. In addition, all 12 sites of the carotid artery were measured, and it was found that Crestor stopped the development of artery thickening. The drug was also well tolerated.
Crestor is an FDA-approved statin and effective for those diagnosed with atherosclerosis. Click here to buy Crestor online from Canadian Pahrmacy. However, it may not be a good fit for you under certain circumstances. It is not recommended for those who are pregnant, nursing or have liver problems. It is also important to ask your doctor if you have kidney or thyroid problems before taking Crestor.
