Some of the greatest strides in the treatment of chronic coronary artery disease has been a better understanding of the medical management of the underlying disease process. Despite great strides in coronary bypass surgery and the development of coronary stents, most of the improvement in outcomes has been from medical therapy.

The cornerstone of medical therapy is the use of aspirin. Other medications commonly used are statins, beta blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (aka ACE inhibitors). Statins are effective medications to reduce abnormal lipid (blood fat) levels which are thought to stabilize plaque in the blood vessels of the body including the heart. Beta blockers improve the work effort of the heart and probably decrease abnormal heart rhythms and ACE inhibitors are likely beneficial as anti inflammatory agents which also stabilizes plaque. The appropriate combination of these medications should be discussed with your doctor.