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Are your carotid arteries healthy? These symptoms reveal hidden risks!
Carotid artery health is often overlooked in our daily lives, but it is an important key to maintaining brain health. Carotid artery stenosis refers to the partial narrowing or constriction of the carotid artery, usually caused by atherosclerosis. This narrowing can lead to a range of health problems, including stroke. Therefore, it is important to understand the signs and symptoms of carotid artery health.
Symptoms of carotid artery stenosis
Generally, the symptoms of carotid stenosis may not be obvious, and many people may become ill before symptoms appear. In terms of carotid artery health, we need to pay special attention to the following points:
The pulse of the carotid arteries, which can be felt on both sides of the neck under the jaw, is an important indicator of carotid artery health.
When plaque or blood clots break away from the carotid arteries and travel to the brain, they can cause a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. Symptoms of a TIA often include unilateral weakness or loss of sensation in a limb, or blurred vision in one eye (retinal ischemia).
In some cases, patients may experience a ringing in their ears (tinnitus) or hear a sound in their arteries (a murmur).
It is worth noting that even in the absence of obvious symptoms, patients with carotid artery stenosis have a significantly increased risk of stroke.
Pathophysiology
Carotid artery stenosis is mainly caused by atherosclerosis, which forms plaque at the bifurcation of the carotid artery. If these plaques rupture, they can release substances into the bloodstream, causing blockage of blood vessels in the brain, leading to ischemic stroke.
According to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance, urgent carotid dissection should be performed within two weeks in patients with moderate to severe stenosis.
Even when asymptomatic, patients are still at higher risk of stroke than the general population. Medical research has found a correlation between the degree of carotid artery narrowing and the risk of stroke, which has been confirmed in some studies.
Diagnostic methods
Carotid stenosis is usually diagnosed using color Doppler ultrasonography. This test does not require radiation, will not cause side effects, and has high sensitivity and specificity.
If stenosis is found, further imaging may be needed to obtain more detailed information.
Screening standards
Per recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, routine screening is not recommended for asymptomatic patients. However, patients with relevant medical history or risk factors should consider screening accordingly.
Treatment Plan
The goal of treating carotid stenosis is to reduce the risk of stroke. Treatment options include:
- Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating healthily, reducing sodium intake, etc.
- Drug treatment to control high blood pressure and blood lipids.
- Surgery, including carotid artery resuscitation, is performed if necessary.
According to the guidance of the American Heart Association, surgical intervention is recommended for patients with obvious symptoms.
Drug treatment
All patients with carotid artery stenosis should receive medication to control cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Revascularization methods
For different types of patients, the evaluation of surgical intervention will take into account a variety of factors, including the presence or absence of symptoms and the degree of stenosis.
Has the health condition of carotid artery stenosis ever affected your life? Should you start paying attention to your carotid artery health?
