Post by Admin on Jun 6, 2024 15:31:18 GMT
What is carotid artery stenosis?
The carotid arteries are the main blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen to the brain. When these arteries become narrowed, it’s called carotid artery stenosis. It may also be called carotid artery stenosis. The narrowing is caused by atherosclerosis. This is the buildup of fatty substances, calcium, and other waste products inside the artery lining. Carotid artery stenosis is similar to coronary artery disease, in which buildup occurs in the arteries of the heart and can cause a heart attack.
Carotid artery stenosis reduces the flow of oxygen to the brain. The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen to work. Even a brief pause in blood supply can cause problems. Brain cells start to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen. If the narrowing of the carotid arteries becomes severe enough that blood flow is blocked, it can cause a stroke. If a piece of plaque breaks off it can also block blood flow to the brain. This too can cause a stroke.
![](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Clopidogrel_Oral_Tablet-732x549-thumbnail.jpg)
Medicines
Medicines that may be used to treat carotid artery stenosis include:
Antiplatelets. These medicines make platelets in the blood less able to stick together and cause clots. Aspirin, clopidogrel, and dipyridamole are examples of antiplatelet medicines.
Cholesterol-lowering medicines. Statins are a group of cholesterol-lowering medicines. They include simvastatin and atorvastatin. Studies have shown that certain statins can decrease the thickness of the carotid artery wall and increase the size of the opening of the artery.
Blood pressure-lowering medicines. Several different medicines work to lower blood pressure.
If a carotid artery is narrowed from 50% to 69%, you may need more aggressive treatment, especially if you have symptoms.
Surgery is usually advised for carotid narrowing of more than 70%. Surgical treatment decreases the risk for stroke after symptoms such as TIA or minor stroke.
Surgical treatment of carotid artery stenosis includes:
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA). This is surgery to remove plaque and blood clots from the carotid arteries. Endarterectomy may help prevent a stroke in people who have symptoms and a narrowing of 70% or more.
Carotid artery angioplasty with stenting (CAS). This is an option for people who are unable to have carotid endarterectomy. It uses a very small hollow tube, or catheter, that is thread through a blood vessel in the groin to the carotid arteries. Once the catheter is in place, a balloon is inflated to open the artery and a stent is placed. A stent is a thin, metal-mesh framework used to hold the artery open.
What are the complications of carotid artery disease?
The main complication of carotid artery disease is stroke. Stroke can cause serious disability and may be fatal.
Can carotid artery stenosis be prevented?
You can prevent or delay carotid artery stenosis in the same way that you would prevent heart disease. This includes:
Diet changes. Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats such as poultry and fish, and low-fat or non-fat dairy products, Limit your intake of salt, sugar, processed foods, saturated fats, and alcohol.
Exercise. Aim for 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous-level physical activity at least 3 to 4 days per week.
Manage weight. If you are overweight, take steps to lose weight.
Quit smoking. If you smoke, break the habit. Enroll in a stop-smoking program to improve your chances of success. Ask your doctor about prescription options.
Control stress. Learn to manage stress in your home and work life.
The carotid arteries are the main blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen to the brain. When these arteries become narrowed, it’s called carotid artery stenosis. It may also be called carotid artery stenosis. The narrowing is caused by atherosclerosis. This is the buildup of fatty substances, calcium, and other waste products inside the artery lining. Carotid artery stenosis is similar to coronary artery disease, in which buildup occurs in the arteries of the heart and can cause a heart attack.
Carotid artery stenosis reduces the flow of oxygen to the brain. The brain needs a constant supply of oxygen to work. Even a brief pause in blood supply can cause problems. Brain cells start to die after just a few minutes without blood or oxygen. If the narrowing of the carotid arteries becomes severe enough that blood flow is blocked, it can cause a stroke. If a piece of plaque breaks off it can also block blood flow to the brain. This too can cause a stroke.
![](https://media.post.rvohealth.io/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Clopidogrel_Oral_Tablet-732x549-thumbnail.jpg)
Medicines
Medicines that may be used to treat carotid artery stenosis include:
Antiplatelets. These medicines make platelets in the blood less able to stick together and cause clots. Aspirin, clopidogrel, and dipyridamole are examples of antiplatelet medicines.
Cholesterol-lowering medicines. Statins are a group of cholesterol-lowering medicines. They include simvastatin and atorvastatin. Studies have shown that certain statins can decrease the thickness of the carotid artery wall and increase the size of the opening of the artery.
Blood pressure-lowering medicines. Several different medicines work to lower blood pressure.
If a carotid artery is narrowed from 50% to 69%, you may need more aggressive treatment, especially if you have symptoms.
Surgery is usually advised for carotid narrowing of more than 70%. Surgical treatment decreases the risk for stroke after symptoms such as TIA or minor stroke.
Surgical treatment of carotid artery stenosis includes:
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA). This is surgery to remove plaque and blood clots from the carotid arteries. Endarterectomy may help prevent a stroke in people who have symptoms and a narrowing of 70% or more.
Carotid artery angioplasty with stenting (CAS). This is an option for people who are unable to have carotid endarterectomy. It uses a very small hollow tube, or catheter, that is thread through a blood vessel in the groin to the carotid arteries. Once the catheter is in place, a balloon is inflated to open the artery and a stent is placed. A stent is a thin, metal-mesh framework used to hold the artery open.
What are the complications of carotid artery disease?
The main complication of carotid artery disease is stroke. Stroke can cause serious disability and may be fatal.
Can carotid artery stenosis be prevented?
You can prevent or delay carotid artery stenosis in the same way that you would prevent heart disease. This includes:
Diet changes. Eat a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats such as poultry and fish, and low-fat or non-fat dairy products, Limit your intake of salt, sugar, processed foods, saturated fats, and alcohol.
Exercise. Aim for 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous-level physical activity at least 3 to 4 days per week.
Manage weight. If you are overweight, take steps to lose weight.
Quit smoking. If you smoke, break the habit. Enroll in a stop-smoking program to improve your chances of success. Ask your doctor about prescription options.
Control stress. Learn to manage stress in your home and work life.