Carotid Artery Stenosis, American Heart Association

What is carotid artery stenosis or carotid artery disease?

Carotid artery stenosis is the narrowing of the carotid arteries. These are the main arteries in the neck that supply blood to the brain. Carotid artery stenosis, also called carotid artery disease, is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke. (This is the most common form of stroke and is usually caused by a blood clot plugging an artery.)

The narrowing is usually caused by plaque in a blood vessel. Plaque forms when cholesterol, fat and other substances build up in the inner lining of an artery. This process is called atherosclerosis.

How is carotid artery stenosis diagnosed?

Carotid artery stenosis may or may not cause symptoms. A doctor may hear an abnormal sound called a bruit (BROO'e) when listening to the artery with a stethoscope. The stenosis can be easily detected with an ultrasound probe placed on the side of the neck near the carotid arteries. This is called carotid ultrasonography.

How is carotid artery stenosis treated?

Depending on the degree of stenosis and the patient's overall condition, carotid artery stenosis can usually be treated with surgery. The procedure is called carotid endarterectomy. It removes the plaque that caused the carotid artery to narrow. Carotid endarterectomy has proven to benefit patients with arteries stenosed (narrowed) by 70 percent or more. For people with arteries narrowed less than 50 percent, anti-clotting medicine is usually prescribed to reduce the risk of ischemic stroke. Examples of these drugs are antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants.

Carotid angioplasty may be another treatment option. It uses balloons and/or stents to open a narrowed artery. 

For stroke information, call the American Stroke Association at 1-888-4-STROKE. 

via americanheart.org

To read more click on the americanheart.org link.

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CDC Features - February is American Heart Month

About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and is a major cause of disability. The most common heart disease in the United States is coronary heart disease, which often appears as a heart attack. In 2010, an estimated 785,000 Americans had a new coronary attack, and about 470,000 had a recurrent attack. About every 25 seconds, an American will have a coronary event, and about one every minute will die from one.¹

The chance of developing coronary heart disease can be reduced by taking steps to prevent and control factors that put people at greater risk. Additionally, knowing the signs and symptoms of heart attack are crucial to the most positive outcomes after having a heart attack. People who have survived a heart attack can also work to reduce their risk of another heart attack or a stroke in the future. For more information on heart disease and stroke, visit CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention.

Diseases and Conditions That Put Your Heart at Risk

Other conditions that affect your heart or increase your risk of death or disability include arrhythmia, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease (PAD). High cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and secondhand smoke are also risk factors associated with heart disease. For a full list of diseases and conditions along with risk factors and other health information associated with heart disease, visit the American Heart Association.

Know Your Signs and Symptoms

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense; however, most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs

via cdc.gov

Read the full article at cdc.gov

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Why the day after Christmas is hazardous to your heart - CNN.com

December 26 is historically one of the most dangerous days of the year for people vulnerable to cardiac problems, including heart attacks, arrhythmias, and heart failure.

And many of these so-called Merry Christmas coronaries will hit people who didn't even realize they were at risk when they unwrapped their gifts the day before.

But the holiday season isn't good for heart health to begin with. A 2004 study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego and Tufts University found that heart-related deaths increase by nearly 5% during the holidays, perhaps because patients delay seeking treatment for heart problems or because hospital staffing patterns change.

But anecdotally, doctors say that their ERs stay quiet on Christmas Day itself. Then, come December 26, they see a surge of cardiac traffic. A 2008 study found that daily visits to hospitals for heart failure increased by 33% during the four days after Christmas.

Health.com: 9 surprising heart attack risks

"This time of year is notorious for heart attacks, heart failures, and arrhythmias," says Samin Sharma, MD, director of interventional cardiology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Here's how to steer clear of the hospital.

via cnn.com

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PT Perspective: Heart Disease in Women - Overshadowed and Understated|putmebacktogether.com

It’s good to be informed. As PTs, I’d add that it’s our responsibility to inform ourselves then to pass on the information to patients. I’ve come across many women, patients, and co-workers who recognize the dangers of breast cancer and the necessity of research to cure it.

Clearly, breast cancer is serious business and the stats are grim. The lifetime prevalence: 1 in 8; number of deaths per year: 40,000.

But consider this. Lung cancer claims 70,000 women a year which is more than breast, ovarian and uterine cancers combined. Of those diagnosed with lung cancer, only 1 in 8 survives.  The public consciousness seems misinformed on this.

Heart disease is another poorly understood killer. Every year, heart disease claims the lives of 500,000 women. That’s 1000% more deaths than breast cancer. People seem to think breast cancer is the biggest monster out there gobbling up women’s lives while the real boogey man disease lives in virtual anonymity.

Why does this happen? Why would such a big problem get such short shrift? Part of the problem is the stereotype that only type A men get heart attacks.  The fact is heart disease doesn’t dabble in gender politics. Whether you’re from Venus or Mars, the odds are pretty even.

If you’re a woman, your sirens should be ringing (blaring stridently; in fact), particularly if you have a family history, like to wash down your corn-fed Angus cuts with a keg of beer, and exercise by walking from the couch to the kitchen during commercial breaks. If this describes you or your patients, beware, but don’t despair.

Giving up leads to paralysis and paralysis doesn’t help. What does help is information (keeping in mind that the step after information is informed action).  Unlike breast cancer which is largely genetic and difficult to prevent (if such as word even applies), heart disease responds to the following life-saving changes:

• Smoking cessation
• A well-balanced diet, low in saturated and trans fat
• Regular exercise
• Weight loss
• Stress reduction
• Social support
• Decreased alcohol consumption 

Those who campaign against breast cancer do a wonderful job of raising awareness about a terrible disease. We should applaud these efforts and replicate them with heart disease, spreading the word the way rumors spread in the girl’s middle school bathrooms across America.  First whispered conspiratorially, the message gets passed on via three very simple words: “Pass it on!”

via putmebacktogether.com

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Cardiovascular Perfusion:College of Health Professions:SUNY Upstate Medical University

Cardiovascular Perfusion—Bachelor of Science

Perfusionists are operating room specialists who conduct cardiopulmonary bypass. That is, they pump and oxygenate the blood of patients whose hearts or lungs are stopped, usually during open heary surgery.

The cardiovascular perfusion program accepts six students each year. Graduates are eligible to take the American Board of Cardiovascular Perfusion's National Certification Examination.

A Cardiovascular Perfusionist's work is a matter of life or death. People who succeed in this field thrive on excitement and stressful situations. More >

via upstate.edu

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