A BRAIN IS ONLY AS HEALTHY AS THE CAROTID ARTERIES LEADING TO IT

Carotid artery disease often a silent cause for stroke.

Brain and heart health are important topics, but what may be just as vital are the arteries that connect these two vital organs.

Everyone has four blood vessels that lead from the heart to the brain. The two in the front of the body are known as carotid arteries. The two that travel in the back and through the spinal canal are called the vertebral arteries.

“It’s common for people to develop hardening of the arteries with plaque formation in the carotid arteries – in the neck area – and that is what we call carotid artery disease,” said Laura Peterson, MD, a vascular surgeon with Premier Vascular Surgeons. “Carotid artery disease is a serious issue because blockages in the arteries that go to the brain can lead to stroke.”

Despite the severity of carotid artery disease, most individuals live without knowing they have it or are what is called asymptomatic.

“Unfortunately, the first time someone knows they have it is after they have experienced a stroke,” said Dr. Peterson, who practices with Premier Physician Network. “That’s why it’s very important that those who have known risk factors talk to their doctor about screening tests or physical exams that can provide clues to the presence of this disease.”

Risk factors for carotid artery disease are similar to those indicated for other vessel or heart-related diseases. Smoking can play a big role in the development of carotid artery disease as well as co-morbidities such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Family history, genetics, and age are also indicators physicians consider.

One of the first signs that a carotid artery may have narrowing or blockage is when a medical provider listens to the artery through a stethoscope and hears a sound much like that of a purring cat. This sound might warrant further testing, such as an ultrasound or a CAT scan of the artery that will give a clearer picture of the extent of the blockage, Peterson said.

“We can’t cure carotid artery disease, but we can certainly treat it,” she said. “Treatment first and foremost starts by modifying a person’s personal risk factors. Stop smoking. I know every doctor says this, but it really does matter when it comes to blood vessel disease. Taking steps to get diabetes under control and blood pressure in a healthy range is also very important.”

Patients are often closely monitored by a specialist like Peterson who regularly checks the carotid artery’s narrowing. Additional treatment is usually considered if the disease progresses past a certain degree of tightness or blockage.

Treatment options include removing the blockage and widening the artery by placing a stent in the artery.

“We look at each individual patient to determine which treatment is best for them in terms of their anatomy and their other risk factors,” Peterson said. “An open surgical repair may be best for some people whereas the use of a stent may be best for others. Each patient is unique and each situation is specific to that person.”

Still, lifestyle management may be the best way to not only prevent the disease from occurring, but also in treating it once it begins. A national trial is currently evaluating whether medical management and lifestyle modifications are more effective than having surgery.

For more information about carotid artery disease or to schedule an appointment with a Premier Physician Network physician near you, visit PremierPhysicianNetwork.com/physician.

Premier Physician Network is one of the largest groups of pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine, and urgent care practices in southwest Ohio. For more information, go online to www. premierphysiciannet.com.