Preventing Stroke: Importance of Carotid Artery Ultrasound and Blood Test Results

2023-09-08 11:46:16

If the blood test results are bad, a carotid artery ultrasound test is required.

Entered 2023.09.08 20:45 Views 507 Entered 2023.09.08 20:45 Modified 2023.09.08 18:48 Views 507

When a stroke occurs, the burden of followingeffects is reduced if you arrive at the hospital and receive emergency treatment within 3 hours, the so-called ‘golden time’. [사진= 게티이미지뱅크]High blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, excessive drinking and smoking, coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmia, and obesity are considered major risk factors for stroke, which is caused by blockage or bursting of cerebral blood vessels. We will learn regarding the ‘3-step’ test to identify risk factors for each stage of stroke and the ‘3-step’ rules of stroke prevention-treatment-rehabilitation.

Step 1 is a blood test. If the number of platelets, which function to coagulate blood, is too low compared to normal, there is a tendency for hemorrhagic events, and if there are too many, blood clots are likely to form. The number of red blood cells is also taken into consideration. If there are too many, the sticky viscosity increases and the speed of blood flow slows down, which affects the formation of blood clots or infarctions (blockages).

Even if the blood clotting time (normally 6 to 10 minutes), which occurs naturally when blood comes out, is too short, it can result in a blood clot. If the level of hemoglobin, which is contained in red blood cells and carries oxygen, is abnormally high, the viscosity of the blood increases, making it easy for blood clots to form. If it is low, you may experience symptoms of anemia, and if it is high, your face or palms may turn red.

Over 50 years of age, ‘carotid artery ultrasound’ required

Homocysteine ​​levels also affect stroke. Homocysteine ​​is a toxic amino acid produced during protein metabolism. If it accumulates excessively in the body, it can damage blood vessel walls and easily cause arteriosclerosis, dementia, and cardiovascular disease. Hyperlipidemia, that is, blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) and triglycerides (dyslipidemia), are also the basis for judgment. The problem is that HDL-cholesterol, which is good for the body, is low, or LDL-cholesterol, which is bad for the body, is high.

Step 2 is a carotid artery ultrasound examination. If there are many risk factors in the blood test, it is necessary to add detailed tests such as carotid artery (neck blood vessel) ultrasound, carotid artery CT, or brain CT. The carotid artery is an important blood vessel through which 80% of blood to the brain passes. Ultrasound images can reveal whether there is partial arterial occlusion or arterial stenosis that reduces blood flow to the brain. Adults over 50 years of age with diabetes, high blood pressure, or hyperlipidemia need to undergo regular examinations.

Step 3 is a brain CT and brain MRI examination. If you suspect brain disease, are over 65 years old, have a family history of brain disease, or have risk factors for stroke such as smoking, diabetes, or high blood pressure, get a brain MRI (morphological examination) and MRA (blood flow test) once every 1-2 years. Or, it would be a good idea to get a brain CT scan. It is an imaging test to check for abnormalities in brain tissue and cerebral blood vessels.

The food is bland, be careful of the cold wind

The following are three steps to stroke prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Step 1 is prevention through regular risk factor management. You should pay attention to keeping warm so that your peripheral nerves are not exposed to cold wind, avoid salty and oily foods, and develop the habit of eating bland foods. It is a good idea to combine strength training to maintain muscle mass along with aerobic exercise such as walking that can be continued for a long time without putting too much strain on the body. Measure blood pressure regularly, and diabetic patients must thoroughly control blood sugar and high blood pressure. If you have hyperlipidemia, other diseases such as coronary artery disease should also be checked. If you are obese, adjust your abdominal circumference or weight to be close to standard. Smokers should quit smoking and reduce drinking to less than 1 to 2 drinks per day.

Step 2 is to learn how to respond early when a stroke occurs. Stroke has several precursor symptoms. Numbness or numbness in one arm or leg, loss of strength, lips turning to one side, grains of rice or drooling, sudden blurred vision or loss of vision, one object appearing as two overlapping, etc. Things like becoming slurred and not being able to understand the other person well, feeling dizzy and having a sudden headache and throwing up, having difficulty walking unlike usual, etc.

If symptoms occur, immediately call 119

Even if the symptoms are mild and last for 10 to 20 minutes and then disappear, you should not be complacent. You need to get a diagnosis from a specialist. When a stroke occurs, the burden of followingeffects is reduced if you arrive at the hospital and receive emergency treatment within 3 hours, the so-called ‘golden time’. You should always be aware of medical institutions that can provide treatment within the golden time. Self-administered first aid is almost impossible, so quickly call 119 or someone nearby for help and head to the hospital.

The third stage is rehabilitation to prevent recurrence following treatment. A characteristic of stroke is that it has not only sequelae and complications, but also a high risk of recurrence. One in four people who have the disease relapse within five years, and the first 30 days following the disease are critical. If a stroke recurs, the followingeffects may be more severe than the first time. To prevent recurrence, consistent drug treatment, diet control, regular checkups, and efforts to improve brain function are necessary.

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