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Carotid Artery Disease Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Carotid arteries are blood vessels in your neck. They carry blood and oxygen from your heart to your brain. Sometimes, these blood vessels become partly or fully blocked. There is a buildup of a fatty material called plaque. You may have problems getting blood flow to your brain if these blood vessels are blocked. Sometimes, small pieces of the fatty material break off. This may cause a stroke. If the blood vessel is only blocked for a short time, it is called a transient ischemic attack or TIA. ‚  

What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Take all drugs as ordered by your doctor.
  • Stop smoking. Ask your doctor to help you quit.
  • Keep a normal weight. If you are too heavy, lose weight.
  • Keep blood pressure, cholesterol, and high blood sugar under control.

What follow-up care is needed?


Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. During your follow-up, your doctor may tell you if surgery is needed. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Control cholesterol
  • Prevent blood clots
  • Lower blood pressure

Will physical activity be limited?


Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚  

What changes to diet are needed?


Your doctor may want you to eat a low cholesterol diet. If you are not on a special diet, try to eat healthy foods. This means: ‚  
  • Eat whole grain foods and foods high in fiber.
  • Choose many different fruits and vegetables. Fresh or frozen is best.
  • Cut back on solid fats like butter or margarine. Eat less fatty or processed foods.
  • Eat more low fat or lean meats like chicken, fish, or turkey. Eat less red meat.
  • Avoid beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). Your doctor can help you learn about how to stop drinking gradually.

What problems could happen?


  • Blood flow to a part of the brain may stop for a short period of time. This is a transient ischemic attack (TIA). It is a sign of stroke in the future.
  • Stroke

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Keep a healthy weight.
  • Do not smoke.
  • Stay active.
  • Eat a healthy diet.
  • Learn how to manage your stress.
  • Monitor your blood pressure.

When do I need to call the doctor?


Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚  
  • Signs of heart attack:
    • Chest pain
    • Trouble breathing
    • Fast heartbeat
    • Feeling dizzy
  • Signs of stroke:
    • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
    • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
    • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
    • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
    • Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Call your doctor if you have: ‚  
  • Problem with walking, balance, or coordination
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or drugs.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke.

Where can I learn more?


National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute ‚  
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/catd/ ‚  
NHS Choices ‚  
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Atherosclerosis/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚  
VascularWeb ‚  
https://www.vascularweb.org/vascularhealth/Pages/carotid-artery-disease-,-stroke-,-transient-ischemic-attacks-(-tias-)-.aspx ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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