Carotid arteries

[flowergirl2day]

Hello,

I wonder if narrowing of common as well as internal carotid arteries is pretty much the same as that of the coronary arteries? Are there any differences between the two? Would they be handled/treated in the same manner, and do the same principals/ lifestyle changes apply as with the coronary artery narrowing?

Thank you,
flowergirl

[huckfinn]

I think that most of the medical literature says that if you have coronary artery disease, CAD, you are likely to have peripheral artery disease, PAD and so on.

I have CAD and possibly PAD, so my cardiologist always checks both of my carotid arteries for bruits (brewies) and strength of pulse. The carotids are at a great advantage for detection of blockages due to their location, even though only a portion of them are accessible.

It would be great if the doc could directly check a portion of the LAD with a stethoscope, lol.

I have small vessel disease of the heart, brain and eyes. It was first diagnosed in my heart, after an mi. A week ago I was diagnosed with early stage macular degeneration due to damage to the tiny arteries that supply my retina. An MRI of the brain found some brain and SVD.

Sorry to dump my ailments, even though I left out a lot, onto your thread

[flowergirl2day]

Andy,

I too have damaged blood vessels in the eyes, due to my hypertension. Mine is called hypertensive retinopathy. Medical literature says that the condition of these vessels indicates the condition of those elsewhere in the body. Anyway, I am not overly concerned with my carotids, the narrowing is mild at this time. I had a carotid Doppler done back in May. My doctor said my carotids were fine each time I asked about the results. Now it turns out that though not bad, they are not normal. I hate it when doctors withold information.
I just wanted to know if the same things apply in the prevention of further plaque build-up as with the coronary arteries. My guess is yes, they are all a part of our cardiovascular system. I guess I'd better watch for aches and pains in my calves, while I am at it. How different would the pain be from the one Lipitor sometimes causes?

flowergirl

[huckfinn]

I can't tolerate statins, but Zetia is causing aches and pains, believe it or not, all over my body. I have to stop Zetia for awhile and let my pain get better. Zetia carries the same adverse side effects as do statins.

PAD is hard to mistake. Your calf muscles just almost lock up with a really bad cramp like pain, especially when on the slightest incline. This pain is called claudication...

I know what you mean about doctors withholding information. I had an echocardiogram about 3 weeks ago. Afterwards the doc came by my room and said "you have a normally functioning heart". The exam was over so I left an signed the medical release forms for them to send me the results of the echo (I do this for all medical test). There were many abynormal findings.

How come you were hypertensive for so long? I do remember when the limits were higher, so by today's standards I was untreated for hypertension for some time.

[flowergirl2day]

Hello,

just one of those things, I guess. Never thought I could get sick. I missed too many yearly checkups. The opthalmologist said it had taken years for the damage to progress to what it is today. So I had lived with hypertension for a long time before being diagnosed late last year, unaware. By then it was too late. Everything sort of happened all at once. My blood pressure readings at that time averaged 240-250/140-160 and my hypertension was completely out of control. I got sick and sicker...you get the picture. I guess our bodies can only take so much!

Thank you for the info. I've been having cramps in feet & calves. I suspect a deficiency, either one of the electrolytes, or a vitamin. I also had an edema worse than my previous one for several days last week, this time with my stomach fully involved. So the cramps might have been a result of that. Who the heck knows. I'll have to be watchful, though. Like so many of us, I have a history of blood clots. I am happy to say the edema is gone and I don't look nine months pregnant anymore! What a relief! It was caused by my max dose of calcium channel blockers. (At least, that's what I like to think and sincerely hope I am right!) I am now finally back on the cardioselective beta blockers.

flowergirl