Have You Learned About Carotid Artery Disease?
The carotid arteries are a pair of blood vessels that go through your neck. On each side of your neck, they are the only two vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the brain and head. The arteries are said to have carotid artery disease when they have become blocked or narrowed due to the fatty deposits (plaques) in their walls. Thus the risk of a stroke or similar lethal disorders is going to be raised as the arteries’ inner lining gets more and more damaged and deposits continue to accumulate.
What Are The Warning Signs?
Carotid artery disease may not be symptomatic all the time – this is what makes the condition so dangerous.
- Suddenly losing the strength or feeling of one side of the body (arm, leg or face).
- One side of the face is drooping, or there is an inability to control one side of the mouth.
- Sudden total or partial blindness of one eye or “a curtain coming down” over one eye.
- Being unable to speak clearly or having difficulty speaking and understanding.
- Loss of balance or coordination, and the feeling of dizziness.
Such symptoms most often point to a TIA or stroke, and thus, they demand immediate medical help.
What Causes Plaque Build-Up In The Carotid Arteries?
A few risk factors may raise the risk of carotid artery disease to a great extent:
- High blood pressure (hypertension) increases the pressure on blood vessel walls.
- The levels of cholesterol are high (mainly the deposits of LDL and fatty substances)
- Diabetes can cause blood vessels to become damaged as they age.
Lifestyle modifications are necessary for those with the risk factor, in addition to medical treatments.
How Is The Diagnosis Made?
- Initially, a doctor will gather your medical history and perform a physical exam if carotid artery disease is a concern.
- Using the stethoscope, they may listen to the neck for a “bruit” (a sound caused by the turbulent flow of blood in a vessel), which can indicate a narrowing. Afterwards, pictures are used a lot. Your typical procedures are:
- CT or MR angiography: are exact scans that show the vessels and the blockages more clearly with the help of a dye or contrast
- Open angiogram (invasive): a catheter is placed, and dye is injected to see the blockages directly
- Such tests are very important in figuring out the degree of the artery narrowing and whether a surgical intervention will be necessary.
How Is Carotid Artery Disease Treated?
The first and foremost objective is to stop a stroke from happening. Treatment is different based on the level of artery narrowing, whether the patient has any symptoms, and the patient’s overall health condition. The most important parts of the treatment are:
- Lifestyle & medical management
- In cases where the narrowing of the vessels is only mild or moderate (and particularly if there are no symptoms),
- Good nutrition (a diet that is low in saturated fats, salt, and refined sugars)
- Maintaining regular physical activity
- Smoking cessation
- Medications: antiplatelet agents (to prevent the formation of clots), statins (to lower cholesterol), antihypertensives (to reduce blood pressure)
- Surgical or interventional treatments
- If the narrowing becomes very severe or the patient has experienced some kind of symptom (TIA or stroke), a more aggressive treatment may be required:
- Carotid endarterectomy (CEA): the surgeon cuts the neck artery and removes the plaque by hand. This is a routine, commonly carried out operation.
- Carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS): a less invasive method where the artery is first widened with a balloon and then a stent is placed to keep the artery open.
Why Choose Expert Care For Carotid Artery Disease Treatment In Ludhiana
In case you want medication for atherosclerosis of neck vessels in Ludhiana, selecting a skilled carotid artery disease specialist with all the necessary and accurate diagnostic tools for the job would be a wise decision. Actually, the whole effect of a diseased check-up can be changed by a confirmation of the disease and timely intervention.
At the locations where you get expert care, you can thus avail of the most advanced imaging, support of various disciplines, and tailor-made plans that take into account your anatomy, symptoms, and general condition.
A Note About Dr. Luv Luthra
Dr. Luv Luthra is a highly skilled surgeon specializing in vascular and endovascular surgery. He earned his M.Ch. in Vascular Surgery and D.N.B. in Peripheral Vascular Surgery. Among other things, he is very well acquainted with the management of carotid artery disease, which is a complicated vascular scenario. He is patient-centered and employs the latest diagnostic and therapeutic techniques to develop a plan that is not only medically sound but also includes lifestyle advice, drug therapy and, if needed, surgery.
Any person who requires the most advanced carotid artery disease treatment in Ludhiana can take a step toward recovery with the help of Dr. Luthra’s knowledge, cutting-edge equipment and kind manner.
Conclusion
Carotid artery disease, although being a severe situation, is a condition that can be healed. Knowing risk factors and symptoms, having an accurate and timely diagnosis, and being aware of treatment options are the major things that help to keep the brain safe from a stroke. The main goal of the interventions, whether they are lifestyle changes, medicines or surgical operation,s is to restore the normal blood flow, keep the risks under control and reduce the chances of stroke. Firstly, if you are in Ludhiana and need a trustworthy treatment for carotid artery disease, a competent specialist is the person to bring the change.