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Atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries

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What is atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries?

Atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries is the formation of plaques or atheromas in the intima of the brachycephalic trunk. It is a branch off of the aorta and is one of the major arterial branches into three arteries: the right vertebral, right subclavian and right carotid.

The danger of forming atherosclerotic plaques in the cavity of the brachiocephalic arteries is that it increases the risk of strokes, as a result of circulatory disorders of the brain. This is due to the fact that it is the brachiocephalic artery in conjunction with common carotid and left subclavian branch artery responsible for blood flow, forming the so-called circle of Willis. If you have difficulty move of blood in at least one of the arteries leads to disruption of the whole system and negatively affects the functioning of the brain. If certain structures, such as bone tissue, impaired blood supply is relatively tolerant of the situation, the human brain is such a pathological process can not move.

According to statistics it is the atherosclerosis of the major vessels supplying the brain, in 90% of cases is the cause of coronary of his defeat. Besides, according to the who, almost every person reach 55 years old, show signs of atherosclerotic lesions of the brachiocephalic arteries, according to the results of the echogram. The pathological process manifests usually after the age of 40.


Symptoms of atherosclerosis of brachiocephalic arteries

The danger of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries is that in 50% of cases the disease does not manifest itself and the stroke develops suddenly for a person.

Among the symptoms that you may notice:

  • Intermittent dizziness and headaches of uncertain etiology. And dizzy begins at that time as the person makes an attempt to make sudden movements or when a drop in blood pressure.

  • Unstable emotionalcondition: increased psychological anxiety or the development of depression.

  • Violations of the TOC thinking processes: poor concentration, memory.

  • The occurrence of presyncope condition or fainting.

  • Intermittent tinnitus.

  • Decreased vision, appearance of spots and flashes before my eyes.
  • Reduced work productivity on the background of fatigue.
  • Limbs are often cold regardless of the ambient temperature and intermittent numbness.

If the person has no history of diseases leading to the development of such symptoms, you must consult a doctor and diagnose the brachiocephalic arteries.


The causes of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries

Among the reasons leading to the development of the disease, can be identified:

  • Bad habits, particularly Smoking, which leads to metabolic disorders, decreased elasticity of vessels, increased pressure.

  • Hypertension either primary or secondary type.
  • Increasing the level of cholesterol in the blood, which is due not only to poor diet but also diseases of internal organs, a sedentary lifestyle, etc.
  • The administration of hormonal contraceptives.

  • Some diseases of the immune system, diabetes, or any metabolic disorders in the body.

  • Increase in body weight.

All these reasons are factors-provocateurs, able to cause disease.

Diagnosis of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries

Before proceeding to the treatment of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries, it is necessary to determine the degree of closure of the lumen and the rate of circulation of blood to the problem area, and after it. The main diagnostic method used to implement the goals is a triplex scanning of the arteries. That is the usual ultrasound examination in this case is complemented by colour Doppler radiation. Scanning gives you the opportunity to assess the condition of the cervical arteries that bring blood to the brain.

If necessary, diagnosis of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries may be expanded such research methods as: duplex scanning,magnetic resonance angiography.

Diagnosis of pathology not difficult thanks to modern equipment that allows you to view each vessel and to identify the disease at the initial stage of its development.

Find out more: the 4 most essential (medical) product atherosclerosis


Treatment of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries

After the disease was diagnosed, the doctor makes the decision about what treatment is appropriate for each individual patient. Surgical intervention is only useful if there is a real threat of a stroke and the vessel lumen is blocked by 50%.

The doctor chooses one of the methods of operational impact on the affected artery:

  • Operation of the open type with the removal of the pathological phase, further prosthetics or suturing.
  • Stenting of the problematic artery or endovascular intervention. This method is the least traumatic and most modern.
  • Operation called endarterectomy - removal of plaque from the vessel and restore its integrity.

When there is no need in the operation, the patient is put on the account to the neuropathologist and implemented drug regulation condition. Required for admission are drugs-antiplatelet agents: aspirin or clopidogrel, which are a means of thinning the blood, which in turn reduces the risk of strokes. Make these medications the patient will need for life, like to regularly donate blood to determine the level of cholesterol.

In addition, the doctor may recommend treatment, improves blood flow, removes spasms and expands blood vessels, including Cavinton, chimes, Actovegin.

Statins are appointed only by the doctor, after a careful examination and under the direct supervision of the attending doctor, because statins have many contraindications and side effects.

The patient will need to reconsider their diet, eliminating fatty and fried foods. The possible administration of drugs containing iodine, and vitamin-mineral complexes.