Main cause of strokes often carotid stenosis

Screening can significantly reduce the risk of stroke

19/10/2012

Heart attack and stroke are among the leading causes of death in industrialized countries. Physical inactivity, an unhealthy diet and tobacco consumption are considered to be major risk factors for cardiovascular disease. One of the main causes of stroke is the so-called carotid stenosis, a narrowing of the carotid artery. Since the disease runs for a long time without symptoms, precautionary measures and examinations are particularly important in high-risk patients.

Narrowed carotid artery can cause stroke
According to estimates by experts from the Center for Stroke Research at the Berlin Charité, around 270,000 people in Germany suffer a stroke each year. Nearly 70,000 people die each year as a result of a stroke, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office. One of the main causes of stroke is so-called arteriosclerosis, an arterial hardening in which blood fats, thrombi, connective tissue and lime are deposited in the vascular walls of the arteries.

Frequently, a bottleneck of the carotid artery (arteria carotid) is affected, which is largely responsible for the blood supply to the brain. The so-called stenosis (bottleneck) runs for a long time without symptoms, so that sufferers often do not even suspect that they are in great health danger. Because the blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a carotid stenosis, there is a sudden hypoperfusion, which can lead to cerebral infarction. Another dramatic consequence of the stenosis is the formation of blood clots at the bottleneck, which can also cause a stroke.

Prevent stroke with preventive check-up and healthy lifestyle
„A simple medical ultrasound examination can diagnose a bottleneck on the carotid artery in good time, "reports Head of the University Clinic for Vascular Surgery in Innsbruck, Gustav Fraedrich. „Especially with risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, lipid metabolism disorders, diabetes or a familial tendency to vascular disease, regular preventive examinations can prevent strokes, "emphasizes Johann Willeit from the Innsbruck University Department of Neurology and President of the Austrian Stroke Society.

If a carotid stenosis is diagnosed at a check-up, the standard treatment for patients who already have symptoms is the carotid thrombendarterectomy (carotid TEA). The arteriosclerotic vasoconstriction is sclerosed with the inner vascular wall layers. Subsequently, the vessel is sewn with a plastic patch and expanded in this way.

In order to prevent a stroke, it is important to eliminate the main risk factors of cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, lack of exercise and increased blood lipid levels. A healthy diet is indispensable. Particularly suitable is the Mediterranean cuisine, to which a lot of fruits and vegetables, products from wholegrain cereals, low-fat dairy products as well as little lean meat and fish, always accompanied by a little olive oil. For diabetics and hypertensive patients a special diet is required. Physical activity, abstinence from nicotine and alcohol, and regular medical check-ups can also significantly reduce the risk of stroke. (Ag)

Also read about stroke:
In stroke, those affected become younger and younger
Simple questions about stroke diagnosis
More and more children are suffering a stroke
Olive oil reduces stroke risk
Mediterranean cuisine lowers heart attack risk
Lack of sleep favors stroke & heart attack

Picture credits: Gerd Altmann