ACS Q&A – Dr. Fileccia: What Medications Treat Coronary Artery Disease?

One of the most common medications for treating coronary artery disease is aspirin. Aspirin is an over-the-counter medication that helps prevent blood cells from sticking together and from sticking to the cholesterol plaque that builds up inside the arteries. This helps reduce the formation of blood clots and lowers the risk of heart attacks.

Another important group of medications is cholesterol-lowering medications, most commonly statins. Statins reduce the amount of cholesterol that the body produces. While the body needs some cholesterol to function normally, excess cholesterol can build up inside the coronary arteries. By lowering cholesterol production, statins help prevent additional plaque buildup in the arteries.

We also use beta blockers to treat coronary artery disease. Beta blockers reduce the heart’s need for oxygen and blood. If an artery is blocked, lowering the heart’s workload can help improve symptoms like chest pain.

Another medication used to treat coronary artery disease is nitrates, such as nitroglycerin. Nitrates widen (or dilate) the coronary arteries, allowing more blood to flow to the heart muscle.

Finally, calcium channel blockers can be used to lower blood pressure and dilate the coronary arteries. This improves blood flow to the heart and helps treat coronary artery disease.