Carotid Ultrasound

Posted by Lena on August 02, 1999 at 12:17:17
Dear Doctor. I hope I am posting this in the right forum.
Thursday, I am scheduled to have this.   I am a 60 year old female and am wondering for my age what is classed as normal thickening for a 60 year old. I am reading about various percentages of blocking as we age and am concerned.  My GP states if there is blockage he will put me on cholesterol reducing drugs even though the choleterol readings are good.
the LDL is a tad high.  If there is a blockage can this be reversed with cholesterol reducing meds or should this be reamed out?
Thank you for your most welcomed input.
Lena
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 02, 1999 at 16:13:32
Dear Lena
Depending on the severity of blockage seen on ultrasound and the symptoms you are having, surgery (carotid endarterectomy) may be necessary. If you have only a mild blockage, surgery is not recommended, and medicines such as aspirin and anti-cholesterol agents are usually appropriate. Mild blockages do not always get worse, nor do medicines always make them go away - it is difficult to predict ahead of time what will happen.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
Posted by Lena on August 02, 1999 at 17:23:14
Thank You Docotr for the helpful information.  Two more question.
You stated Symptoms:  What are these symptoms one could have with
a blockage.  Also if Carotid Endartectomy is needed, is this a serious procedure and can one have this with a local.  Do they use stents?
Thank You again?  Lena

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 02, 1999 at 17:45:25
Dear Lena
Symptoms of a mini-stroke, such as weakness or numbness of an arm or leg, transient blindness and so on, can be indications of a serious blockage. Carotid endarterectomy can be done with local anesthesia, though your surgeon would have to decide in your particular case. Stents are used if the procedure is done in a manner similar to a cardiac catheterization. Only a few medical centers, including ours, are doing it this way at the present.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
Posted by Lena/Thank You Doctor on August 02, 1999 at 18:26:28
thanks again, Doctor.  I know I am putting the cart before the horse but I am concerned as three of my aunts have had strokes and grandma died from one. My dad died from a heart attack at the age of 39 and Mom passed on at age 77 with artherosclerosis.
I will let you know the results when I get them.  Thanks for helping so many of us with our concerns.

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 03, 1999 at 08:42:25
Dear Lena
Hopefully, everything will come back normal.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.