Reduction of platelet counts to below 150 thousand per cubic millimeter by pharmacologic, mechanical, combined mechanical and pharmacological, or other means for the purpose of reducing the incidence and severity of vascular disease in at risk populations, for the stabilization and reversal of said disease in patients already known to suffer from such disease, as well as for the purpose of preventing and/or reducing the incidence and severity of sequelae related to such disease, whether preclinical, subclinical or overtly manifested, or whether it is presently understood to be related to said vascular disease or not.