What are dual antiplatelet therapies used for?

Dual antiplatelet therapies are primarily used to prevent blood clots, especially in patients at risk for cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes. These therapies typically involve the use of two different antiplatelet agents, commonly aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor, which work together to inhibit platelet aggregation more effectively than a single agent alone. By reducing the ability of platelets to stick together, dual antiplatelet therapy significantly lowers the risk of thrombotic events in conditions such as acute coronary syndrome and after certain procedures like stent placement.

Blood pressure reduction, cholesterol management, and heart rhythm control are not relevant tasks of dual antiplatelet therapies. Instead, these goals are managed through different classes of medications, such as antihypertensives, statins, and antiarrhythmics. Therefore, dual antiplatelet therapies play a critical role in vascular health by targeting clot formation specifically.