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Question:
Is an atheromatous aorta dangerous?
Is it dangerous if you have atheromatous aorta? What are the treatment and medicines if you have this?
submitted by Randy from Dasmarinas Cavite, Philippines on 1/8/2013
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Raymond F. Stainback, MD
When atheroma is detected in the aorta (perhaps by a transesophageal echocardiogram or CT scan imaging?) it may be assumed that there is atherosclerotic disease in other places in the arterial vasculature. The most important treatment is the same as primary prevention treatment for stroke and coronary artery diseases such as heart healthy diet and aggressive management of cholesterol levels. Aortic atheroma can be associated with stroke if it is severe, or associated with ulcerated plaque or mobile atherosclerotic "debris". Most of the literature would suggest that the best drugs for prevention in this case are "statins" which lower LDL cholesterol. From your question, unfortunately, it is not clear how atheroma was discovered (which imaging test) or what the whole clinical picture is.
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Updated January 2013
