The carotid arteries are vessels that supply blood to the brain, as well as other organs of the neck. They pass through the chest area, neck, human brain. There are frequent cases when plaques form in the carotid artery. Treatment should be immediate, since such a condition can lead to severe brain damage and even cause a stroke.
The process of plaque formation in blood vessels
As a rule, the walls of arteries have a smooth structure. Due to this, blood flows well into all internal organs. However, under certain conditions, the vessels narrow, since atherosclerotic plaques form on their walls. They may consist of cholesterol, calcium, and other lipid substances. With a progressive disease, the arteries can become completely blocked. Blood supply to the skull is disturbed.
Cholesterol plaques in the carotid artery are one of the causes of stroke. In some cases, the surface of such a formation becomes rough. At the same time, the inflammatory process begins, a blood clot occurs, which not only clogs the artery, but also migrates with the flow of blood.
Stage formation of lipid plaques
The first stage of this process is lipoidosis. In this case, small spots of lipids are formed, they have a yellowish color. With the progression of the disease, they connect into strips. Further (at the stage of liposclerosis) lipids impregnate the vessel wall, the skeleton of the plaque itself is formed. It can be either soft, or with a dense structure. Plaques of the latter type impair blood flow. The last stage is the formation of complicated cholesterol plaque. High blood pressure, increased blood speed - such moments can lead to the destruction of the integrity of the lipid formation. The lumen of the vessel can completely close in the case of plaque calcification.
What are the causes of cholesterol plaques?
Atherosclerotic plaques appear in the carotid artery most often when other vessels of the body are already affected. Contributing to this process are factors such as smoking, poor nutrition with an abundance of fatty junk food. The disease also develops due to diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure (hypertension). Increased thrombosis can provoke the occurrence of cholesterol substances.
Symptoms of the disease
The early stages of the disease can occur without any signs. However, if a plaque develops in the carotid artery, the symptoms of atherosclerosis are as follows: the patient becomes lethargic, increased weakness is noted. Also, a person complains of peculiar tingling, mainly in one half of the body. Control over one limb (arm or leg) may be lost. The memory is broken. Another plaque in the carotid artery also causes symptoms such as slurred slurred speech, decreased and complete loss of vision in the eye. Fainting may also occur.
If such signs appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. Although such manifestations of ischemic attack may disappear after a certain time, they cannot be ignored. Paying due attention to violations of this nature can prevent a stroke.
Diagnosis of carotid artery lesions
First of all, the specialist listens to complaints, asks questions about the symptoms and the time the problem occurred. Then pressure is measured, ultrasound is prescribed (using contrast). Thus, the structure of the vessel and the blood flow in it are evaluated. If information is insufficient, the doctor recommends computed tomography. Angiography is also possible. A contrast agent is injected, the artery is examined using x-rays. In the images obtained with this diagnosis, all structural changes in the vessels are visible. However, this method of visualization is rarely used, because the risk of damage to the plaque and all kinds of complications is quite high.
Conservative therapy
If plaques are found in the carotid artery, treatment may be medication. The doctor prescribes medications that lower cholesterol - statins ("Krestor", "Lipidor", "Zokor"). Lipid metabolism is also normalized (Clofibrate, Gemfibrozil, Fenofibrate). Specialists using medications bring blood pressure to normal. Medications are used that lead to blood thinning. This prevents the formation of clots. The doctor recommends changing the diet to the use of foods with low cholesterol. If the patient smokes, then the first symptoms of the disease should be an occasion to get rid of a bad habit. More severe cases of carotid arteriosclerosis require surgical intervention.
Affected carotid artery. Plaques, surgery to remove them
If the disease is severe and the risk of stroke is high, specialists conduct surgery. Carotid artery surgery can be performed using two methods. An endarterectomy involves a small incision through which a cholesterol plaque is removed. May be performed under local or general anesthesia. After such an intervention, the patient remains in the hospital for several days. Such removal of plaques in the carotid arteries is a fairly effective and common treatment method. If this operation cannot be carried out due to some circumstances, then angioplasty and stenting are performed under local anesthesia. A special instrument, a catheter, is inserted through the femoral artery. Through it passes the equipment necessary for the manipulation. Angioplasty allows you to explore the degree of damage to the vessel, restore its lumen.
Stenting as a treatment for atherosclerosis
Stenting is an operation on the carotid artery (as well as other vessels), which involves the installation of an endoprosthesis in its cavity. A stent is a metal tube that consists of individual cells. Its main task is to keep the artery straightened. Thus, the artery does not become clogged, blood circulation in it returns to normal. Such an operation to remove plaques in the carotid artery is carried out as follows. Contrast is introduced through a catheter in the femoral artery. A stent is delivered to the area above the affected area. It is being installed, the vessel is straightened. Using the image on the monitor, a specialist monitors the progress of the operation. At the final stage, the stent filter and catheter are removed.
Rehabilitation period
If plaques in the carotid artery were surgically removed, treatment is also necessary in the postoperative period. You should be prepared for the fact that the therapy will be quite long. Medications are prescribed that will prevent the appearance of blood clots. It is also necessary to take statins. These are substances that slow the development of atherosclerosis. Blood pressure should be closely monitored. Visits to a neurologist should be made regularly, especially when symptoms of the disease recur. It is worth remembering that stenting will not save atherosclerosis. However, it can prevent a stroke and significantly improve the quality of life.
Folk remedies for cholesterol plaques
If plaques in the carotid artery are diagnosed, treatment with folk remedies will help improve blood circulation, somewhat expand the lumen of the vessels. Herbs such as valerian, motherwort are used. They have a calming effect, expand the arteries. Horse chestnut thins the blood, helps to normalize fat metabolism. The hawthorn has a positive effect. It normalizes blood circulation in the brain, stabilizes heart rate and pressure. Folk remedies for the treatment of plaques, the use of which shows a positive trend - dogrose, sea buckthorn. On the basis of rose hips, a tincture is prepared (using alcohol). Such a tool is used for 20 drops several times a day. If alcohol is not possible, the rose hips are simply brewed.
Known recipes and using garlic. It is used in its pure form, alcohol tinctures are prepared. It is proved that it stimulates metabolism, has a positive effect on lipid metabolism.
Products useful for clogging blood vessels
To reduce the number of cholesterol formations (plaques in the carotid artery), treatment and prevention should include nutritional adjustment. You should know the products that are especially useful for atherosclerosis. Cucumbers have a good effect on blood vessels. The potassium they contain is good for the heart and nervous system. Beetroot has similar properties. The juice of such a vegetable contains potassium, magnesium, a large amount of vitamins. A product such as corn oil lowers cholesterol.
Also extremely rich in potassium are bananas. They are recommended to be used both for hypertension and for atherosclerosis. Normalizes the chemical composition of blood honey. It is a storehouse of useful trace elements, vitamins. Experts recommend consuming honey regularly (if there are no contraindications, allergies). You can prepare a mixture of dried fruits. To do this, chop dried apricots, prunes, lemon, add a couple of spoons of honey. Buckwheat is also useful. Also of particular interest are sea buckthorn berries. They contain a substance that prevents the deposition of cholesterol. They are used fresh or grated with honey (sugar).
Prevention of cholesterol plaques
In order to protect yourself from such a disease, you should stop smoking. Alcohol is also best eliminated (or substantially limited). But physical activity is essential. You should also carefully select food. Preference should be given to vegetable fats. In order for the body to not retain fluid (and not increase pressure), it is recommended to reduce the amount of salt. It is worth refusing to take fried food. If a person suffers from diabetes, hypertension, visits to the doctor should be regular. In order to keep the body in good shape and maintain health for as long as possible, it is important to avoid stressful situations.