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Atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries

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What is carotid artery disease?

The carotid arteries are the vessels that nourish the organs of the head and neck, including the brain. They are branches of the aorta. Normal their walls smooth, without any formations, which could disrupt normal blood flow.

The disease, which is characterized by the deposition of plaques in the lumen of the carotid arteries, called atherosclerosis. These formations are composed of cholesterol, calcium, lipids and connective tissue.

According to statistics, this pathology is observed in most cases in the elderly.

Typically, the carotid artery calcification are deposits when other large vessels this process has long been formed. The growth of plaques occurs disrupting the normal flow of blood to the brain, which leads to the development of several serious diseases. Often, this pathological process is the cause of the stroke patient.

If the plaque breaks off from the carotid artery, it enters the blood and is transferred to smaller vessels, which causes the blockage and also leads to the development of stroke.


Symptoms of carotid atherosclerosis

In the initial stages of atherosclerosis occurs without symptoms bright symptoms. Often diagnosis of this disease occurs when the stroke is already happened fact. However, there are a number of signs, paying attention to that, you will be able to notice the disease and to conduct medical therapy.

Early atherosclerosis characterized by recurrent transient ischemic attacks. Their duration can vary from several minutes to 1 hour. At this time, the patient may feel tingling or itching on one side of the body, often such a symptom occurs in the upper or lower limbs. Also, there is the feeling of numbness, weakness, inclusive speech, sometimes there is blindness in one eye and lost control of the limb.

In some cases, manifestations of transient ischemic attack may last up to 24 hours. Even with a singlethe occurrence of such a condition should consult a specialist for diagnosis. The only way to identify the disease and provide treatment to prevent development of more serious pathologies.

Note that in rare cases, such symptoms may characterize the development of stroke. So don't hesitate to contact medical facility.


Causes of carotid artery disease

The occurrence of atherosclerotic calcinosis in the carotid arteries occurs for the same reasons as in other vessels.

These include:

Only in rare cases, the disease develops on the background of aneurysms of the carotid arteries or fibromuscular dysplasia.

Diagnosis of carotid artery disease

To establish this diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination of the patient. Start with the explanation of complaints and the collection of anamnestic data. Necessarily considered risk factors. Then proceed directly to inspection.

Doctor performs auscultation of the carotid arteries, in which you can hear the jet streams. This symptom occurs when the narrowing of blood vessels, is characteristic of atherosclerosis. Also measure the level blood pressure.

Be sure if you suspect atherosclerosis is assigned to a Doppler ultrasound study. It allows you to define the structure of the vessels and the nature of blood flow in them. It is a completely painless method, by which it is possible to accurately establish the diagnosis.

If the above diagnostic methods give the doctor some doubts, is assigned to the following study:

  • CT. Allows you to define the structure of the carotid arteries after injection of a contrast agent and radiation, their x-rays.
  • MRI. Allowsto see the flow and structure of blood vessels.

  • Angiography. Requires the mandatory application of radiopaque substances. In his introduction, there is a risk of detaching the plaque that can cause stroke and ischemia. In this regard, this method is rarely used.

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


Treatment of atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries

Only complex therapy can get rid of this disease. To start the treatment with normalization of the lifestyle. First and foremost, it is necessary to abandon bad habits, to increase physical activity.

Treatment of carotid artery disease requires nutritional intervention. You need to stick to a diet that prohibits the use of meats, lard, fatty meats, sodas, alcoholic drinks, strong coffee and tea, confectionery, white bread. Replace unauthorized products are best for fresh vegetables and fruits.

Because of drugs used the ones that help to cope with the symptoms. It can be antihypertensives, analgesics. Also prescribe medication that reduces the concentration of cholesterol in the blood.

In addition, the doctor may prescribe drugs to strengthen the cardiovascular system and normalization of metabolism in the body.

With advanced forms of the disease raises the question of surgical treatment.

It can be:

  • Carotid endarterectomy. Is performed under local or General anesthesia. After a small incision is performed removing the plaque that narrows the lumen of the artery and cutting off blood flow.
  • Stenting and balloon angioplasty. This is a new method. Is performed under local anesthesia. Used in the case where the previous method of treatment is contraindicated.

Atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries seen in the last turn, when a similar process has already hit other large vessels. So it is time to treat this pathology, in order to prevent its spread to other artery.