Heart disease causes 26 percent of deaths in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. Plavix, the brand name for generic clopidogrel, a drug used to prevent platelets from sticking together, helps prevent heart disease. Plavix does not lower cholesterol levels, which include high-density lipoprotein, the so-called "good" cholesterol. This drug does help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. Raising your HDL levels also reduces atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis and Plavix
Plaque forms inside arteries when cholesterol and other cellular debris sticks to the inside walls of blood vessels. As plaque becomes thicker, the blood vessels become less pliable. Blood clots can form at the site of plaque formation where the walls are damaged by the buildup of plaque, which causes inflammation. Platelets stick together at the site of injured tissue to stop bleeding. Plavix interferes with platelet aggregation, the ability of platelets to stick together.
Atherosclerosis and HDL Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein carries cholesterol in the blood. High-density lipoprotein scavenges and removes excess cholesterol from your bloodstream. Less "bad" cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, means less cholesterol to build up on artery walls as plaque.
Effects
Taking Plavix and raising your HDL levels can work together to decrease atherosclerosis. Plaque buildup and atherosclerosis block blood flow to the heart, and plaque can also break off and travel to blood vessels that supply blood to your brain, causing a stroke. Decreasing atherosclerosis can reduce your risk of both heart attack and stroke.
Considerations
Cholesterol-lowering medications can raise your HDL while lowering your LDL. Plavix does not have this effect. You may need to take cholesterol-lowering medication along with Plavix to lower your risk of heart disease. For every 6 pounds you lose if you're overweight, you can raise your HDL by 1 milligram per deciliter, while quitting smoking can raise your HDL by up to 10 percent, according to MayoClinic.com. Exercising can raise your HDL around 5 percent over a two-month period, MayoClinic.com also reports. Keep your saturated fat intake to less than 7 percent of your daily calories to help reduce cholesterol levels.
