The goal in treating coronary calcification is to slow (and possibly reverse) its progression and prevent serious consequences such as heart attack or stroke. Controlling risk factors can help limit coronary calcification and prevent life-threatening disease. Good preventive treatments are available, including:
Lifestyle Changes
Changes to your lifestyle can help prevent and slow the progression of coronary calcification. These can include:
- Dieting (especially to limit cholesterol, fat and sodium)
- Exercising
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding alcohol
- Losing weight
Medications
If you’re at risk of coronary calcification, your doctor may prescribe cholesterol medications to reduce low density lipoproteins (LDL) known as the "bad" cholesterol (eg, statins) or to increase high density lipoproteins (HDL) known as the "good" cholesterol (eg, niacin).
Newer medications such as PCSK 9 inhibitors (eg, Repatha, Praluent) are given by injection and can help lower cholesterol in more difficult instances.
Other medications may be prescribed to reduce blood pressure (eg, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics), control blood sugar (eg, anti-diabetic medications), prevent clots (eg, aspirin), or dissolve a blood clot that has already formed (eg, warfarin, Eliquis, Xarelto, Pradaxa).
Procedures and Surgery
For severe atherosclerosis (plaque) that has caused — or threatens to cause — symptoms or disease, further intervention may be necessary. This can include:
- Coronary stenting is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) that is guided into the blocked artery and a tiny balloon is inflated to pry open the plaque and restore blood flow. A stent (small mesh tube) is inserted to keep the artery wide open.
- Bypass surgery is a common approach that surgeons use to create new routes through which blood can flow around blocked or narrowed arteries. These “bypasses” are created using healthy vessels taken from the chest, arms or legs.
Ready for an Appointment?
If you need to be evaluated for coronary calcification or want to discuss treatment options, schedule an appointment or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-7536) today.
Learn more about our doctors and care team who diagnose and treat coronary calcification.
