Editing Arteriosclerosis (section)

== Treatment ==

Treatment is often in the form of preventive measures of prophylaxis. Medical therapy is often prescribed to help prevent arteriosclerosis for underlying conditions, such as medications for the treatment of high cholesterol (e.g., [[statin]]s, [[cholesterol absorption inhibitor]]s), medications to treat high blood pressure (e.g., [[ACE inhibitors]], [[angiotensin II receptor blocker]]s),<ref name="ac">{{Cite web |title=ACE inhibitors |url=https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000087.htm |website=MedlinePlus |access-date=2021-09-21 |archive-date=2016-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705061416/https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000087.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Antiplatelet|antiplatelet medications]]. Lifestyle changes are also advised, such as increasing exercise, stopping smoking, and moderating alcohol intake.<ref name=ref1/>
[[File:Captopril skeletal.svg|thumb|ACE inhibitor]]
There are a variety of types of surgery:
* [[Angioplasty]] and stent placement: A catheter is first inserted into the blocked or narrowed part of the artery, followed by a second one with a deflated balloon that is passed through the catheter into the narrowed area. The balloon is then inflated, pushing the deposits back against the arterial walls, and then a mesh tube is usually left behind to prevent the artery from retightening.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Angioplasty |url=https://medlineplus.gov/angioplasty.html |website=MedlinePlus |access-date=2021-09-21 |archive-date=2016-07-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160704221544/https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/angioplasty.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Coronary artery bypass surgery]]: This surgery creates a new pathway for blood to flow to the heart. The surgeon attaches a healthy piece of vein to the coronary artery, just above and below the blockage to allow bypass.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery |url=https://medlineplus.gov/coronaryarterybypasssurgery.html |website=MedlinePlus |access-date=2021-09-21 |archive-date=2016-07-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705060750/https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/coronaryarterybypasssurgery.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Endarterectomy]]: This is the general procedure for the surgical removal of plaque from the artery that has become narrowed or blocked.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atherosclerosis -Treatment |url=http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/atherosclerosis/Pages/treatment.aspx |access-date=21 November 2013 |publisher=UK NHS |archive-date=5 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605193055/http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Atherosclerosis/Pages/Treatment.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Thrombolytic therapy]]: This is a treatment used to break up masses of plaque inside the arteries via intravenous clot-dissolving medicine.<ref>{{MedlinePlusEncyclopedia|007089|Thrombolytic therapy}}</ref>