Calcification in coronary artery disease can be reversed with long-term chemotherapy using EDTA-tetracycline. However, other aspects of a healthy lifestyle may not reverse coronary artery disease, but they can help prevent it from getting worse. According to Dr. Steven Nissen, professor of cardiovascular medicine at the Cleveland Clinic, there is strong evidence that high-intensity statins, also known as high-dose statins, can reverse CAD.
Coronary calcification occurs when calcium accumulates in plaque found in the walls of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle. If you need an evaluation for coronary calcification or want to discuss treatment options, contact your doctor or call 800-TEMPLE-MED (800-836-753). Although coronary calcification is not reversible, you can take steps to prevent it from worsening. This includes not smoking, controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and maintaining a healthy weight.
If you cannot tolerate high doses of statins, you may be able to reverse CAD by taking a lower intensity statin along with a different type of cholesterol medication called a PCSK9 inhibitor. Gregg Fonarow, this approach can prevent CAD from getting worse and may even reverse some of the damage.If you are at risk of coronary calcification, your doctor may prescribe medications to lower low-density lipoproteins (LDL) known as bad cholesterol (e.g., statins) or to increase high-density lipoproteins (HDL) known as good cholesterol (e.g., niacin). The goal of treating coronary calcification is to slow (and possibly reverse) its progression and prevent serious consequences such as a heart attack or stroke. With lifestyle changes and similar medications, damage caused by congestive heart failure can also be reversed.A historic study led by Nissen 15 years ago called the ASTEROID trial found that patients who took a very strong statin daily for 2 years could reverse plaque build-up and artery thickening.
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