Atherosclerosis Query.

barry181091

OK, I've always wanted to ask this and am fully aware it sound's stupid

I was just wondering, As atherosclerosis is caused by the lack of blood flow due to the build up of plaque on your artery wall(s) (I think ), Is it not somehow possible that there is some sort of chemical out there that could be injected, that could dissolve plaque ?

I'm positive the disease is much more complicated then I think it is, but I wanted to ask so meh

2Scoops

Atherosclerosis isn't simply a build-up of plaque - there is profound damage to the blood vessels at a cellular level. Removing the obstruction to blood flow is a treatment but not a cure.

And there isn't call for a plaque-dissolving chemical since far easier and well-established procedures are done on a routine basis for patients (stents etc.).

barry181091

I see, Thanks for that..

Funny you should say that, My mam got a stent last year, but can't more plaque build up through the stent (From what I can tell its just a metal cage) or am I misguided again :P ?

2Scoops

barry181091 wrote: »

I see, Thanks for that..

Funny you should say that, My mam got a stent last year, but can't more plaque build up through the stent (From what I can tell its just a metal cage) or am I misguided again :P ?

Yes, the plaque can redevelop and the vessel itself can sometimes grow abnormally around a stent, occluding blood flow again. That is why removing the plaque is not a cure. It is the dysfunctional vessel and the pro-atherosclerotic milieu in the bloodstream and elsewhere that cause the plaque in the first place.