Maybe your doctor heard something while examining your neck or maybe an ultrasound was done on your arteries. Then the diagnosis of carotid disease was given to you. Read on and learn my approach.
Carotid artery disease is a serious condition that significantly increases the risk of stroke. Understanding its causes, conventional treatments, and natural approaches to management can empower individuals to make informed decisions about their health. Here, we’ll explore what carotid artery disease is, how it’s diagnosed, and how Natural Heart Doctor’s (NHD) method offers a holistic approach to treatment.
What Is Carotid Artery Disease?
Carotid artery disease occurs when the carotid arteries, the main blood vessels that supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain, become narrowed or blocked due to atherosclerosis. This narrowing, or stenosis, reduces blood flow and increases the risk of stroke, which can result from a clot, embolism, or severe blockage.
Symptoms of carotid artery disease may not always be apparent until a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs. Warning signs include sudden weakness, difficulty speaking, blurred vision, dizziness, or loss of balance. Regular screenings are crucial for individuals at higher risk.
How Is Carotid Artery Disease Diagnosed?
Diagnosis of carotid artery disease typically involves:
- Physical Examination: A doctor may listen for a bruit, an abnormal sound caused by turbulent blood flow in the carotid arteries.
- Imaging Tests:
- Ultrasound: Doppler ultrasound assesses blood flow and identifies narrowing.
- CT Angiography (CTA) or Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA): These provide detailed images of the arteries.
- Carotid Angiography: An invasive test using a contrast dye to visualize blood flow.
Conventional Treatment
Many people have some degree of carotid stenosis. Less than 50% does not warrant any surgery or stent placement. Just risk management with pharma is the conventional approach. At NHD, we utilized the 100 Year Heart Method (see below). I do not feel statin drugs or aspirin have any role here.
The higher the % blockage, or stenosis, the higher the risk of a stroke. The higher the % blockage, the more benefits from surgery (carotid endarterectomy) or stent.
Unless someone is symptomatic, I do not recommend intervention for blockage up to 90%. After 90%, we have a conversation about the best approach: surgical vs. stent vs. neither.
Natural Treatment
At Natural Heart Doctor, we see everything through the lens of Eat Well, Live Well, Think Well, Test Don’t Guess, evidence based supplements and biohacking strategies.
There is plenty of information about our method on this website. For a personalized approach, schedule a free discovery consultation here.
Supplement Protocol
The following represents a protocol to consider:
- Arterosil 1 cap 2x per day. May double the dose for more impact.
- Flow 1 cap 2x per day. May double the dose for more impact.
- OptiLipid 3 caps per day.
I would use the above in addition to Kickstart My Heart, Wild Salmon Roe, and Australian Emu oil 3 caps per day.
MANY different options on the above.
Again, grab a free discovery call here to learn more.
