What You Need to Know About Carotid Disease
The human circulatory system is a work of art when it is operating as it was designed to do. However, when certain things cause it to malfunction, this magnificent system can short circuit. The carotid arteries are the blood vessels that deliver blood through the neck to the brain. Just by virtue of the description of these vital arteries, you can discern how a malfunction of these delicate vessels could be quite serious.
As part of your over all physical conditioning, it’s good to be aware of your veins. This is a very important part of the circulatory system. Doctors that specialize in the treatment of conditions associated with the veins are vascular and pulmonary specialists, sometimes called a vein doctor or vein surgeon. If you are looking for a physician to perform sclerotherapy, there are also vein clinics that specialize in this procedure. In both cases, Pinnacle Vein and Vascular Center can help you take the right steps to discussing your issues.
In this blog, we are going to focus on carotid disease and it’s causes.
Carotid Artery Disease Possibilities
A carotid artery exist on each side of a person’s neck and if they happen to become blocked, the brain will suffer decreased blood flow. Carotid Artery disease is the result, when this happens. With Carotid Disease, the end result can cause a person to suffer from a stroke. This can cause devastating permanent damage to the function of the brain and body. A sudden stoppage of blood flow to a portion of the brain, resulting in a stroke effects around 750,000 people yearly in the US alone.
Two Possible Causes
First – Irregular heart rhythm and Second – blockage in the carotid arteries are two of the most common causes. Unhealthy veins detected by a vein doctor at our center could anticipate possible trouble down the road. The heart can propel blood clots through what is called the carotid arteries. The end result is a stroke, because there will be a block in the blood vessel in the brain. This is atrial fibrillation or irregular heart rhythm.
Secondly – there is blockage in the carotid arteries. In this case of stroke, the carotid arteries which carry blood to the brain become constricted and blocked. Deposits of cholesterol plaque clog or cause breakages in the vessels to the brain and enter the brain resulting in stroke.
Warning Signs
Carotid Artery disease blockage early signs are non existent. However, you usually are aware of what is happening when it disrupts blood flow to the brain. These symptoms may occur and give you a indication that something is wrong. You might loose vision in one eye, develop slurred speech, impaired use of the limbs, or numbness in sections of the body. It’s imperative that you seek medical attention, if any of these symptoms manifest itself. If you seek medical attention right away, you just might prevent a stroke.
Risk Factors
Carotid Artery disease has many contributing factors. These factors include family history, age, a history of smoking and drinking, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and sedentary lifestyle just to name the major causes. Any or all of these factors can and will contribute to carotid disease. A failure to control or modify these factors can have catastrophic ramifications, with a stroke as the ultimate outcome.
Diagnostic Testing
Neurological Evaluation / Physical Examination – This will test your physical and mental state such as physical endurance, recall or memory, and verbal or speech capabilities.
A Doppler ultrasound – This is a variation of the conventional ultrasound which assesses blood flow pressure and possible narrowing of the blood vessel, by bouncing high-frequency sound waves off red blood cells.
The (CTA) or Computerized tomography angiography – Is a imaging test which utilizes a dye to highlight your carotid arteries. Dye is injected into a blood vessel which travels to your carotid arteries, for the purpose of gathering x-ray’s.
The (CT) or Head computerized tomography – This is a method for ruling out bleeding and potential problem spots of the brain tissue, without utilizing dye.
The (MRA) Magnetic resonance angiography – Utilizes a magnetic field, plus radio waves to process cross sectional 3-D images. A contrast noniodine dye is used to highlight neck and brain arteries.
The (MRI) Magnetic resonance imagining – Imaging which focuses on brain tissue, to identify any early stroke signs or other abnormalities.
Cerebral angiogram – This is one of the less attractive procedures. Dye is injected, using a catheter which is threaded into your carotid artery. Then X-ray images are taken, also veins are highlighted.
When a Stroke Might Strike
A artery becomes extremely narrowed by plaque.
A blood clot forms and blocks a vital artery.
A piece of plaque brakes off and travels to a smaller area of the brain.
The Simple Bottom Line
Protect your health by proper nutrition, by daily exercise, by keeping your stress level in check, and by educating yourself as to what is good for your health vs what is bad for your health.
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