How do arteries get blocked?

Things that travel in the bloodstream, such as cholesterol or waste from cells, can build up on the inside walls of arteries. This buildup is called plaque. It usually happens in medium to large-sized arteries.1

Having plaque build up on artery walls can be very dangerous. Sometimes, plaque can become big enough to block the flow of blood through an artery. Plaque can also burst open and cause blood clots, which can block blood flow, as well. These clots can even travel to other parts of the body and can be just as dangerous as plaque. For example, if plaque or a clot blocks a blood vessel that goes to the brain, it can cause a stroke. Or, if a blood vessel that goes to the heart gets blocked, you can have a heart attack.1

Niacin, the active ingredient in NIASPAN in combination with another cholesterol medication, colestipol in patients with high cholesterol and history of coronary artery disease can regress the plaque that blocks arteries

In one study, nearly 40% of patients taking niacin, the active ingredient in NIASPAN, along with a cholesterol-lowering drug called colestipol, had a significant regression of plaque in arteries going to the heart.2,3 Another study showed that almost 8 times as many patients who took niacin plus colestipol had a significant regression in their disease than those patients who took no medicine.2,4

Talk with your doctor, and ask whether NIASPAN may be right for you.

*In patients with a history of coronary artery disease and high cholesterol, niacin, in combination with a bile adid-binding resin, is indicated to slow progression or promote regression of atherosclerotic disease.


References

  1. 1. American Heart Association. Atherosclerosis. Available at http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4440. Accessed on August 22, 2007
  2. 2. NIASPAN® prescribing information. North Chicago, IL; Abbott Laboratories.
  3. 3. Brown G, Albers JJ, Fisher LD, et al. Regression of coronary artery disease as a result of intensive lipid-lowering therapy in men with high levels of apolipoprotein B. N Engl J Med. 1990;323:1289-1298.
  4. 4. Blankenhorn DH, Nessim A, Johnson RL, Sanmarco ME, Azen SP, Cashin-Hemphill L. Beneficial effects of combined colestipol-niacin therapy on coronary atherosclerosis and coronary venous bypass grafts. JAMA. 1987;257:3233-3240.