The carotid arteries are 2 blood vessels, one either side of the
neck, that each transport blood to the brain from the heart. These
arteries can become partly or totally blocked resulting in the decrease
of blood flow to the brain. This condition in turn is caused by
atherosclerosis, also known as hardening of the arteries.
Atherosclerosis is the outcome of a build up of cholesterol and calcium
on the inner lining of the arteries. These deposits are referred to as
plaques, which might eventually become so thick that they totally
prevent the blood flow through the arteries. Those with untreated
blocked carotid arteries are statistically likely to have a stroke.
Carotid
artery occlusive disease is a permanent but treatable condition.
Treatment is designed to stop further blockage and stroke. If there is
some blockage devoid of symptoms, treatment will probably be limited to
regular checkups, with ultrasound being used to monitor the condition
along with medication that will cause the blood to thin to prevent the
blood cells from clotting. Even if the arteries are severely narrowed,
there is no guarantee of symptoms. If the blockage is severe, surgery
might be recommended to reduce the possibility of stroke.
The most
usual method of surgery, carotid endarterectomy, seeks to remove the
plaque from the artery. For some patients, a balloon angioplasty (the
inflating of a balloon to press the plaque to the artery wall), with the
placement of a stent, may be recommended. If a carotid artery is 100%
blocked, then it is unlikely anything would done to clear it because the
risk of stroke is too high during or post operation.
Efforts are
then concentrated on keeping the opposite carotid as open as possible. A
person can live a good life with only one open carotid artery. The body
is smart enough to reroute blood via a complex network to the side of
the brain that would normally get blood via the blocked carotid. A
dietitian (check with her MD) could help you devise an eating plan that
is healthy & affordable.work).
If the brain is deprived of
oxygen, it stops working -- with potentially catastrophic effects. If
the resulting impairment is permanent, we call the event a stroke. If it
is temporary, it's called a transient ischemic attack (TIA).
Every
human has 4 carotid arteries through which blood moves from heart to
brain. TIAs and strokes normally begin with an increase of cholesterol
plaque in the carotid arteries -- the large blood vessels on either side
of the neck which supply blood to the head and brain.
Showing posts with label stroke. Show all posts
Showing posts with label stroke. Show all posts
Friday, January 10, 2014
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Managing Hypertension With Diet
10:08:00 AM
A healthy diet is essential regardless of an individual's
cardiovascular risk profile. Many studies, including Dietary Approaches
to Stop Hypertension (DASH), have provided evidence of the heart and
vascular benefits of specific dietary guidelines. An early adjustment in
dietary choices may prevent and/or improve high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, and consequently other health-related problems. If a rise
in blood pressure with age could be prevented or diminished, many
conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart, vascular and kidney
disease, and stroke, could be prevented.
Dietary Restrictions
1) Low sodium intake: The main source of sodium in Western diets is processed food, for instance, excessive quantities of salt are contained in packaged food and in food eaten outside the home. The DASH trial evaluated the effects of varying sodium intake in addition to the DASH diet and found that lowering sodium intake reduces blood pressure levels. Mean sodium intake is approximately 4,100 mg per day for men and 2,750 mg per day for women, 75% of which comes from processed foods.
Recommended Daily Sodium Intake
Dietary sodium should be reduced to no more than 100 mmol per day (2.4 g of sodium). 2)
2) Alcohol: Alcohol intake should be limited to no more than 1 oz (30 mL) of ethanol, the equivalent of two drinks per day for most men and no more than 0.5 oz of ethanol (one drink) per day for women and lighter-weight persons. A single drink is equivalent to 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor.
3) Caffeine: Caffeine may result in high blood pressure; however, this effect is usually temporary. Moderate intake of caffeine per day does not significantly increase blood pressure.
Recommended Daily Coffee Intake Coffee intake should be less than two cups per day.
Dietary Restrictions
1) Low sodium intake: The main source of sodium in Western diets is processed food, for instance, excessive quantities of salt are contained in packaged food and in food eaten outside the home. The DASH trial evaluated the effects of varying sodium intake in addition to the DASH diet and found that lowering sodium intake reduces blood pressure levels. Mean sodium intake is approximately 4,100 mg per day for men and 2,750 mg per day for women, 75% of which comes from processed foods.
Recommended Daily Sodium Intake Dietary sodium should be reduced to no more than 100 mmol per day (2.4 g of sodium).
2) Alcohol: Alcohol intake should be limited to no more than 1 oz (30 mL) of ethanol, the equivalent of two drinks per day for most men and no more than 0.5 oz of ethanol (one drink) per day for women and lighter-weight persons. A single drink is equivalent to 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor.
3) Caffeine: Caffeine may result in high blood pressure; however, this effect is usually temporary. Moderate intake of caffeine per day does not significantly increase blood pressure.
Recommended Daily Coffee Intake Coffee intake should be less than two cups per day.
Dietary Supplements
1) Potassium supplementation: Lower potassium intake (i.e., below 40 mEq) is thought to be associated with high blood pressure.
2) Fish Oil: According to a meta-analysis of 36 trials of fish oil, the consumption of high doses of fish oil with a median dose of 3.7 g per day provided a significant reduction in systemic blood pressure. Fish oil consumption has also shown to reduce triglycerides.
Recommended Daily Fish Oil Intake A median dose of 3.7 g per day provided a significant reduction in systemic blood pressure.
3) Folate: A small randomized study reported that short-term folic acid supplementation could reduce blood pressure significantly. It has been suggested that a daily intake of 5 mg of folic acid could be beneficial in reducing systolic pressure.
4) Flavonoids: A Cochrane meta-analysis looking at multiple randomized controlled trials reported that flavanol-rich chocolate and cocoa products may have a small but significant effect in lowering blood pressure by 2-3 mm/Hg in the short term.
5) Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Some studies suggest that CoQ10 may have the potential to reduce systolic pressure by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic pressure by up to 10 mm Hg without any significant side effects. The average dosage used in these studies were around 217 mg/day.
Dietary Restrictions
1) Low sodium intake: The main source of sodium in Western diets is processed food, for instance, excessive quantities of salt are contained in packaged food and in food eaten outside the home. The DASH trial evaluated the effects of varying sodium intake in addition to the DASH diet and found that lowering sodium intake reduces blood pressure levels. Mean sodium intake is approximately 4,100 mg per day for men and 2,750 mg per day for women, 75% of which comes from processed foods.
Recommended Daily Sodium Intake
Dietary sodium should be reduced to no more than 100 mmol per day (2.4 g of sodium). 2)
2) Alcohol: Alcohol intake should be limited to no more than 1 oz (30 mL) of ethanol, the equivalent of two drinks per day for most men and no more than 0.5 oz of ethanol (one drink) per day for women and lighter-weight persons. A single drink is equivalent to 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor.
3) Caffeine: Caffeine may result in high blood pressure; however, this effect is usually temporary. Moderate intake of caffeine per day does not significantly increase blood pressure.
Recommended Daily Coffee Intake Coffee intake should be less than two cups per day.
Dietary Restrictions
1) Low sodium intake: The main source of sodium in Western diets is processed food, for instance, excessive quantities of salt are contained in packaged food and in food eaten outside the home. The DASH trial evaluated the effects of varying sodium intake in addition to the DASH diet and found that lowering sodium intake reduces blood pressure levels. Mean sodium intake is approximately 4,100 mg per day for men and 2,750 mg per day for women, 75% of which comes from processed foods.
Recommended Daily Sodium Intake Dietary sodium should be reduced to no more than 100 mmol per day (2.4 g of sodium).
2) Alcohol: Alcohol intake should be limited to no more than 1 oz (30 mL) of ethanol, the equivalent of two drinks per day for most men and no more than 0.5 oz of ethanol (one drink) per day for women and lighter-weight persons. A single drink is equivalent to 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, or 1.5 oz of 80-proof liquor.
3) Caffeine: Caffeine may result in high blood pressure; however, this effect is usually temporary. Moderate intake of caffeine per day does not significantly increase blood pressure.
Recommended Daily Coffee Intake Coffee intake should be less than two cups per day.
Dietary Supplements
1) Potassium supplementation: Lower potassium intake (i.e., below 40 mEq) is thought to be associated with high blood pressure.
2) Fish Oil: According to a meta-analysis of 36 trials of fish oil, the consumption of high doses of fish oil with a median dose of 3.7 g per day provided a significant reduction in systemic blood pressure. Fish oil consumption has also shown to reduce triglycerides.
Recommended Daily Fish Oil Intake A median dose of 3.7 g per day provided a significant reduction in systemic blood pressure.
3) Folate: A small randomized study reported that short-term folic acid supplementation could reduce blood pressure significantly. It has been suggested that a daily intake of 5 mg of folic acid could be beneficial in reducing systolic pressure.
4) Flavonoids: A Cochrane meta-analysis looking at multiple randomized controlled trials reported that flavanol-rich chocolate and cocoa products may have a small but significant effect in lowering blood pressure by 2-3 mm/Hg in the short term.
5) Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Some studies suggest that CoQ10 may have the potential to reduce systolic pressure by up to 17 mm Hg and diastolic pressure by up to 10 mm Hg without any significant side effects. The average dosage used in these studies were around 217 mg/day.
Subscribe to:
Posts
(
Atom
)
