What should I pay attention to if there is plaque in the carotid artery?

Carotid plaques are formed due to the deposition of too many lipids in the blood in the carotid lining of the arteries. If carotid plaque is left unattended, the carotid plaque will gradually enlarge and cause the artery elasticity to weaken. Carotid arteriosclerosis occurs, and in severe cases, it will cause stenosis or occlusion of the carotid artery.

Therefore, when carotid plaque appears, the following points need to be noted: 1. Active**Primary disease. Hypertension.

Diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia.

and so on are high-risk diseases that cause carotid plaque, so it is necessary to actively develop the above diseases under the guidance of a specialist. 2. In daily life, you need to pay attention to avoid eating too much greasy, sweet food or fatty food. Improve bad habits in life, such as quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, eating a balanced diet, eating more vegetables and fruits, appropriate physical exercise, promoting lipid metabolism, and maintaining a good mood.

3. Oral medications can be taken to improve the condition of blood vessels, such as oral aspirin.

Clopidogrel is antiplatelet.

**, oral atorvastatin calcium for lipid lowering** and so on. Finally, it is recommended to regularly review carotid ultrasound to confirm plaque changes every six months or every year. If necessary, under the guidance of a specialist, choose an aggressive approach to the surgery**.

Patients with carotid plaque, first of all, should pay attention to maintaining emotional comfort, avoiding emotional anxiety and overexcitement, especially avoiding anger, which will cause an increase in intracranial pressure and lead to the occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Secondly, patients must pay attention to a light diet and avoid the intake of fatty and sweet-tasting products. For example, you can eat more fresh fruits and vegetables and less or no sweets.

In addition, patients should regularly take oral antiplatelet aggregation and plaque-stabilizing drugs.

If the plaque is small, the patient's vascular compliance is better, and there are no diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, it is not too serious. For example, try not to drink alcoholic beverages, do not eat too greasy food, common ones are braised pork, fat sausage, squid, etc., try not to eat pickled foods, you can properly consume fresh fruits and green vegetables, and appropriately consume low-fat high-quality protein.

Carotid plaque is actually due to the damage of vascular endothelial cells formed by atherosclerosis in the neck, and the deposition of lipids, resulting in the aggregation and adhesion of platelets, forming plaques in the carotid artery. The formation of plaque, like rust in a water pipe, can cause blockage of blood vessels over time, with serious clinical consequences. Carotid plaque generally has no obvious symptoms in the early stage, and the blockage of blood vessels is not severe, and it does not cause the effect of blood flow and lack of blood supply to distal tissues.

At this time, the development of carotid plaque is mainly controlled by conservative **. Diet is the most important lifestyle improvement, and it is recommended that patients should have a low-salt, low-fat diet, absolutely quit smoking and alcohol, eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and eat more high-quality protein. In addition, if the patient has diabetes, it is also recommended that the patient should have a low-sugar diet and strictly follow the diabetes dietary norms.

If the patient has high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia, it is important to control the intake of salt and fat, in addition to this, the patient is also advised to eat small, frequent meals and eat more whole grains. Eat reasonably, don't overeat, and eat more lightly. Regular check-ups to avoid narrowing or occlusion of blood vessels caused by carotid plaque.

The first is to quit smoking and drinking, the second is to ensure adequate sleep, the third is to eat lightly, the fourth is to go to the hospital frequently for checkups, and the fifth is to exercise more.

Eat more nutritious substances, and mainly light, eat less foods with high fat content, and exercise more, wear more clothes when you go out, go to bed early and get up early, don't put too much psychological pressure on yourself, and go to the hospital regularly for reexamination.

In general, plaque causes more than 50-70% narrowing of the lumen of the blood vessels, and carotid endarterectomy or stent techniques can be considered. 1. Since cerebral infarction (ischemic stroke) is mostly caused by carotid artery and vertebral artery stenosis and plaque, it is recommended to check the CTA of the neck and head blood vessels to determine the condition of the carotid artery and vertebral artery, whether there is vascular stenosis, arterial plaque and thrombosis.

4. Do not massage the neck.