The disease occurs when the carotid artery narrowing of the carotid arteries. These arteries supply blood to the brain. They start from the aorta, the main artery of the body, are in the thick neck and penetrate the skull. The risk of narrowing of the carotid arteries increases with age. At the age of 50 to 59 chance of developing the disease of carotid arteries is only 1%, while between the ages of 80 to 89 years, this pathology is found for 10%.
Normally, the inner wall of the arteries smooth. However, with age as the formation on their inner wall of atherosclerotic plaque, the artery narrows and blood flow to the lower extremities worse. This atherosclerotic plaques are composed of cholesterol, calcium and fibrous tissue. The more of these plaques, the more pronounced narrowing of the arteries and the more the manifestation of their disease. In the end, there is a condition called carotid artery disease. Carotid artery disease - a serious problem that can cause a stroke.
Gradually plaques found in the wall of the carotid arteries, overgrown platelets - blood cells responsible for clotting her. This leads to the fact that the lumen is narrowed carotid arteries, causing blood flow to the brain deteriorates. In case of total blockage of the carotid arteries or their branches there is a stroke - an acute cerebrovascular accident. Most often arises from the separation of a small blood clot the artery walls, which also causes the development of stroke by blocking the small arteries.
Prevention of stroke is largely in the same activities that are aimed at prevention and other diseases of blood vessels. They are:
Giving up smoking
Regular physical exercise
Compliance with the diet bezholesterinovoy
Reduction of excess weight
Furthermore, it should control the risk factors for vascular disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels, which also helps to prevent carotid artery disease.
