Why are anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs commonly used in atherosclerosis treatment?

Aspirin/Plavix: As a preventive therapy as Primary Therapy means if you have not had a coronary event and you are over the age of 50.Aspirin is used s an antiplatelet therapy In secondary prevention if one has had a coronary event or stroke than other antiplatelet drugs are used like Plavix (clopidogrel)

Plaque and clot: atherosclerosis has been renamed atherothrombosis: plaque and clot formation. Statins lower cholesterol to slow plaque formation. Antiplatelet agents are used to block platelets to prevent clot formation and antithrombotics are used during an acute heart attack. It boils down to inflammation from poor diet, smoking causing vessel injury and plaque builds as a healing reaction.