The carotid arteries are major blood vessels that provide blood supply to the face, brain, and neck. There are two carotid arteries on either side of the neck; the left common carotid artery and the right common carotid artery.
What Are Some Signs and Symptoms of Carotid Artery Disease?
In its early stages, carotid artery disease often does not have symptoms. The condition might not be obvious until it's serious enough to deprive the brain of blood, causing a stroke or TIA. Symptoms of a stroke or TIA include:
• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face
• Sudden dizziness/ confusion
• Sudden difficulty in speaking
• Sudden severe headache
• Problems with memory
• Difficulty swallowing (called dysphagia)
• Sudden loss of vision.
What Are the Complications of Carotid Artery Disease?
A stroke is the main potential complication of this disease. A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is interrupted. This can lead to loss of brain function or even death. There are several ways that carotid artery disease can cause a stroke:
• Narrowed carotid arteries may not supply enough blood to the brain.
• A piece of plaque or blood clots can break off and lodge in one of the smaller arteries of your brain, blocking blood flow.
• Blood clots can form in your carotid artery, blocking blood flow.
What Are Common Causes of Carotid Artery Disease?
Factors that increase the risk of carotid artery disease include:
a) Diabetes mellitus: Diabetes lowers the ability to process fats, creating a greater risk of high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.
b) Family history of stroke: The risk of carotid artery disease is higher if a relative has had a stroke or coronary artery disease.
c) High blood pressure: Increased blood pressure increases pressure within the vessels thus dislodging clots and plaques.
d) Lack of exercise: Not exercising leads to conditions that can damage the arteries, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity.
e) High triglycerides: High high levels of triglycerides, a blood fat, help the buildup of plaques.
f) Older age: Arteries become less flexible and more likely to be injured with age.
g) Gender: Females are more susceptible to the progression of arterial aging than men.
h) Tobacco: Nicotine can irritate the inner lining of the arteries. Smoking also increases heart rate and blood pressure.
i) Excess alcohol: Alcohol increases the hormones that cause arteries to tighten and constrict.
How is Carotid Artery Disease Diagnosed?
There are often no symptoms of carotid artery disease until you have TIA or stroke. One must make a regular visit to his doctor for routine medical exams.
• Listening to the carotid arteries – One way to diagnose carotid artery disease is by having your doctor listen to the arteries in your neck with a stethoscope. If an abnormal sound, called a bruit, is heard over an artery, it may reflect turbulent blood flow. That could indicate carotid artery disease.
• Carotid artery ultrasound – To confirm the diagnosis of carotid artery disease, healthcare providers carry out several tests such as Carotid ultrasound (standard or Doppler) to learn more about the size and location of the blockage.
Can I Reverse Carotid Artery Disease?
These steps can help prevent carotid artery disease or keep it from getting worse:
• Diet changes
• Exercise
• Manage weight
• Quit smoking
• Control stress
Self-Care Tips:
High triglycerides may lead to hardening of the arteries in a disorder called arteriosclerosis. This inturn can increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease. The ratio of these 2 numbers — TG divided by HDL — is one you should know. When the TG/HDL ratio is too high, health risks rise significantly. Your triglycerides to HDL ratio should be less than 2 and ideally less than 1.5.
Foods and Drinks to Avoid if You Have High Triglycerides.
These include:
Choose healthy fats: Omega-3 fatty acids lower triglycerides. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in oily fish, such as salmon and herring, olive oil, and dietary supplements.
White flour carbs: Simple carbohydrates, such as sugar and foods made with white flour to include bagels, bread, pasta, and most breakfast cereals will increase triglycerides levels.
Baked goods: Limit consumption of cakes, muffins, pies, bread, cupcakes, donuts, and cookies.
Ultra-processed carbs: Limit candy, cookies, pastries, french fries, chips, and fried crackers.
Sugar-sweetened beverages: Sweetened drinks, fruit juices, smoothies, and energy drinks. These are often filled with high fructose corn syrup which may increase triglycerides, increase insulin resistance, high blood sugar, and an increased risk of type 2 diabetes.
Limit how much alcohol: Alcohol is high in carbohydrates which your body converts to triglycerides.
Exercise regularly. Try for at least 30 minutes of physical activity to include walking on most days of the week.
Increase good Types of Fat/oils you consume such as:
Olive oil
Coconut oil
Macadamia oil
MCT oil
Avocado oil
Perilla oil
Walnut oil
Red palm oil
Sesame oil
Stay clear however of “seed oils.” These are the most widely used unhealthy fats.
These include:
Canola oil
Corn oil
Cottonseed oil
Grape seed oil
Safflower oil
Soy oil
Sunflower oil
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this website are based upon the views of Dr. Walker and his experience. This product is not intended as medical advice nor to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information is likewise not to replace the advice of a qualified health care provider. The information provided herein is intended as a sharing of general knowledge only and is not intended to be, nor is it, medical advice or a substitute for medical advice. That being said, please consult your healthcare provider before using supplements or providing supplements to children under the age of 18. If you have or suspect you have, a specific medical condition or disease, please consult your healthcare provider.
© Dr. Dennis D. Walker 2022. All Rights Reserved