Carotid arteries: symptoms, causes, to treatment • hello healthy

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Definition

What is carotid artery stenosis?

Carotid stenosis or carotid artery stenosis is a narrowing of the blood vessels in the carotid artery. This narrowing is usually caused by a buildup of fatty substances and cholesterol deposits called plaque.

The pressure generated from the narrowed arteries results in the heart's ventricles / chambers being unable to expand completely and the heart not to function properly.

Kerotid artery stenosis is a serious condition because it can block blood flow to the brain, which can lead to a stroke.

How common is carotid artery stenosis?

Kerotid artery stenosis is a common condition in the elderly. 100 out of 1000 people over 80 years of age are known to develop kerotid artery stenosis.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of carotid artery stenosis?

In its early stages, this disease often does not cause any signs or symptoms. Usually a new person will realize that they have carotid artery stenosis when they experience it transient ischemic attacks (TIA) or sudden stroke . Most TIAs occur in less than 10 minutes.

TIA is caused because blood flow to certain parts of the brain stops for a short time. Some of the typical signs and symptoms of a TIA due to carotid artery stenosis are:

• Feeling weak, numb, or tingling on one side of the face or body
• Visual disturbances
• Confused
• Losing balance
• Sudden severe headache for no apparent reason
• Talk unclear or difficult to speak
• Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)

There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

If you have any signs or symptoms above or any other questions, please consult your doctor. Everyone's body is different. Always consult a doctor to treat your health condition.

Cause

What causes carotid artery stenosis?

The cause of carotid artery stenosis is due to the atherosclerosis process, which is the buildup of plaque in the arteries which are responsible for supplying blood to the brain.

Other, less common causes of carotid artery stenosis include:

• Aneurysm
• Inflammation of the arteries
• Carotid artery tear
• Fibromuscular dysplasia
• Tissue damage due to radiation therapy
• Rigid blood vessels

Risk factors

What increases my risk for carotid artery stenosis

Some of the factors that may increase your risk of developing carotid artery stenosis are:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High levels of lipids in the blood
• Diabetes mellitus
• Smoke
• Antiinsulin antibodies
• Obesity
• Unhealthy lifestyle
• Have a family history of atherosclerosis, carotid or aortic artery stenosis.
• Men less than 75 years of age are at a higher risk. Women over 75 years have a higher risk than men. Not only that, people with coronary heart disease are at a higher risk of suffering from carotid stenosis.

Medicines & Medicines

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for carotid stenosis (carotid stenosis)?

Treatment depends on the degree of stenosis and symptoms. Therapy can be in the form of drugs or surgery.

• Medical therapy, namely reducing the risk (smoking cessation, controlling lipid levels and diabetes) and low-dose aspirin (81 or 325 mg per day)
• Surgery for carotid stenosis is called a carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Usually this operation is performed on people with symptoms and 70-99% of stenosis if the life expectancy is more than 5 years. The surgeon's experience in performing CEA surgery plays an important role in determining the success of the operation.

What are the usual tests for carotid stenosis (carotid stenosis)?

The doctor makes a diagnosis from the medical history and examination of the nervous system. The doctor will listen to the carotid arteries using a stethoscope looking for abnormal blood flow sounds called a carotid bruit.

• Usually measuring lipid levels (cholesterol, triglycerides) and fasting blood sugar levels
• Carotid artery ultrasound to assess the degree of narrowing of the carotid cavity

Angiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be needed before surgery to determine the area that needs surgery. The doctor can recommend seeing a specialist (nerve, vascular surgery)

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat carotid stenosis (carotid stenosis)?

Some of the lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help you treat keratic artery stenosis include:

• A balanced diet with lots of fruits, vegetables and nuts
• Reduce your fat and reduce your consumption of processed foods
• Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or even get worse with therapy. Call if you have new symptoms
• Take the medicine your doctor prescribes

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.