To prevent the buildup of plaque, people are generally encouraged to limit as many risk factors as possible by:

• Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
  
  
• Controlling diabetes
  
  
• Controlling high blood pressure (hypertension)
  
  
• Engaging in regular weight-bearing exercise
  
  
• Refraining from smoking cigarettes, cigars and pipes, and staying away from second-hand tobacco smoke and areas of heavy air pollution
  
  
• Sticking to a healthy diet that is low in fats and oils and cholesterol

High-risk patients (e.g., those with high cholesterol levels) may also be prescribed statins to slow the progression of atherosclerosis, regardless of their coronary artery calcification scores.

Calcium channel blocking medications (e.g., diltiazem, nifedepine, verapamil) do not provide any benefit. These agents work on small calcium channels in the cells but are not involved in calcium deposition.