Does reducing your ldl cholesterol actually reduce plaque in your arteries?

Lowering LDL: Lowering LDL does not directly reduce plaques in the arteries, but it will over time help to stabilize the plaques and prevent them from growing further. This prevents them from causing infarctions or strokes. There is some evidence that in time there is some reduction in the level of disease in the arteries, but no direct evidence that just lowering LDL will reduce the plaques.

Not exactly: Ldl reduction prevents further plaque from building up. While plaque regression is possible, it is a much more complex process involving not only LDL reduction but also increasing hdl. Finally, remember that it takes 20-30 years for the plaques to build up, so it will likely take years of optimal cholesterol for plaque regression.

Regression: The most aggressive LDL lowering trials showed some modest "soft" or lipid-rich plaque regression when studied with ivus (intravascular ultrasound of the coronary arteries). Calcified plaque does not regress (rock is rock). Lower LDL levels in persons with CAD results in lower adverse cardiac events.

Possibly: Several studies shows that when this happens, over time you may see an improvement in your vascular health as evidenced by stabilization of plaque, reduction in plaque size, and reduction in carotid wall thickness.

It can: It can, but only after a long period of time.( think years not days.).