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What is atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries?
Atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries is the formation of plaques or atheromas in the intima of the brachiocephalic trunk. It is a branch of the aorta and is one of the large main vessels with branches into three arteries: the right vertebral, right subclavian and right carotid.
The danger of the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in the cavity of the brachiocephalic arteries lies in the fact that the risk of developing strokes increases as a result of impaired blood circulation in the brain. This is due to the fact that it is the brachiocephalic artery, together with the common carotid and a branch of the left subclavian artery, that is responsible for its blood supply, forming the so-called circle of Willis. If the blood flow is difficult in at least one of the arteries, it leads to disruption of the entire system and negatively affects the functioning of the brain. If for certain structures, for example, bone tissue, a violation of blood supply is a relatively tolerable situation, then the human brain may not endure such a pathological process.
According to statistics, it is atherosclerosis of the large vessels that feed the brain that in 90% of cases is the cause of its ischemic lesion. In addition, according to WHO, almost every person who has crossed the line of 55 years old shows signs of atherosclerotic lesions of the brachiocephalic arteries, according to the results of an echogram. Manifests a pathological process, as a rule, after 40 years.
Symptoms of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries
The danger of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries lies in the fact that in 50% of cases the disease does not manifest itself in any way and a stroke develops unexpectedly for a person.
Symptoms you may notice include:
Periodically occurring dizziness and headaches of unknown etiology. Moreover, the head begins to feel dizzy while a person makes an attempt to make sudden movements or when blood pressure drops.
Unstable emotional state: increased psychological excitability or the development of depression.
Disturbances on the part of thought processes: decreased attention, memory.
The occurrence of pre-fainting states or fainting.
Intermittent tinnitus.
Reduced vision, the appearance of dots and flashes before the eyes.
Decreased ability to work against the background of increased fatigue.
Constantly cold extremities, regardless of the ambient temperature and their short-term numbness.
If a person does not have a history of diseases leading to the development of such symptoms, then it is necessary to consult a doctor and diagnose brachiocephalic arteries.
Causes of the disease
Among the reasons leading to the development of the disease, we can distinguish:
Bad habits, in particular, smoking, which leads to metabolic disorders, a decrease in the elasticity of blood vessels, and an increase in pressure.
Hypertension of primary or secondary type.
An increase in the level of cholesterol in the blood, which is associated not only with poor nutrition, but also with diseases of internal organs, a sedentary lifestyle, etc.
Taking hormonal contraceptives.
Some diseases of the immune system, diabetes mellitus, any metabolic disorders in the body.
Increase in body weight.
All these reasons are provocative factors that can cause a disease.
Diagnostics
Before proceeding with the treatment of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries, it is necessary to determine the degree of closure of the lumen, as well as the rate of blood circulation both before and after the problem area. The main diagnostic method used to achieve the set goals is triplex arterial scanning. That is, conventional ultrasound in this case is supplemented by color Doppler radiation. Scanning makes it possible to assess the condition of the cervical arteries that carry blood to the brain.
If necessary, the diagnosis of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries can be expanded by such research methods as: duplex scanning, magnetic resonance angiography.
Diagnosis of pathology is not difficult thanks to modern equipment that allows you to view each vessel and identify the disease at the initial stage of its development.
Treatment of atherosclerosis of the brachiocephalic arteries
Once the disease has been diagnosed, the doctor decides which treatment is appropriate for each individual patient.
Medication
When there is no need for an operation, the patient is registered with a neurologist and drug regulation of the condition is carried out. Mandatory to take are anticoagulants: aspirin or clopidogel, which are blood thinners, which in turn reduces the risk of thrombosis. The patient will need to take these medications for life, as well as regularly donate blood to determine the level of cholesterol.
In addition, the doctor may recommend drugs that improve blood flow, relieve spasms and dilate blood vessels, among them: cavinton, chimes, actovegin.
Statins and fibrates are prescribed only by a doctor, after a thorough diagnosis and under the direct supervision of the attending doctor, since statins have many contraindications and side effects. Current cholesterol-lowering agents include ezetrol, evolocumab, and alirocumab. In addition to them, omega-3s are often prescribed.
The patient will need to reconsider his own diet, excluding fatty and fried foods from it. Especially recommended is the Mediterranean diet, which reduces the risk of complications by 50%.
In addition, there are herbal preparations for atherosclerosis that have proven their effectiveness, more about them are described here.
Surgery
Surgical intervention is advisable if there is a real threat of a stroke, and the lumen of the vessel is blocked by more than 50%.
The doctor chooses one of the methods of surgical intervention on the affected artery:
An open-type operation with the removal of the pathological site, its further prosthetics or suturing.
Stenting of the problem area of the artery or endovascular intervention. This method is the least traumatic and the most modern.
An operation called endarterectomy is the removal of plaque from the vessel and restoration of its integrity.