About this topic
The carotid arteries carry blood from the neck to the brain. Health problems, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high blood sugar, and smoking, can cause a build-up of deposits called plaque in the arteries. This can slow down and even stop blood flow. Blocked carotid arteries can lead to a stroke. A stroke could cause brain damage and even death. ‚
With stenting, a small metal, mesh tube is placed inside the artery to keep it open and let blood flow. It is placed after angioplasty. This uses a pumped up balloon to open the artery that has narrowed. ‚
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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.
- If you had surgery, talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut site. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work, driving, or sex
- Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.
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. You may need ultrasound exams and tests to see how well the blood is flowing. ‚
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Eat a healthy diet. Stay away from foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol, and calories.
- Keep your ideal body weight. If you weigh too much, lose weight. Talk with your doctor about a diet plan that would be right for you.
- Talk with your doctor about starting a workout program. Often, people who have peripheral vascular disease also have heart problems. It may be a good idea to have a heart evaluation. This may include a stress test or heart cath.
- Lower your level of stress.
- If you smoke, stop.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Prevent infection. Take as ordered, even if you are feeling better.
- Help with pain
- Prevent blood clots
- Lower cholesterol
Will physical activity be limited?
- Take it easy for a few days. Stay away from high level workouts for a few weeks.
- Limit your walking to flat surfaces. Do not go up and down stairs for a few days. Start with 3 to 4 short walks each day and then slowly add to walking time and distance.
- Do not lift objects over 5 to 10 pounds for a few weeks.
- Do not drive for a few weeks or until your doctor says it is OK.
- Check with your doctor to see when you can go back to work and your daily activities.
What changes to diet are needed?
Eat a diet low in saturated fat. Make sure you eat lots of fruits, veggies, grains, and fish. This will help keep plaque from building up again. You may want to see a dietitian for help in making these changes. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of 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 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: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, very bad sore throat, ear or sinus pain, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, mouth sores, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Signs of a very bad reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; seizures; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Lots of sweating
- Upset stomach and throwing up that you cannot control with the drugs you were given
- Pain you cannot control with the drugs you have been given
- Trouble moving your bowels or emptying your bladder
- Health problem is not better 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 procedure.
- I can tell you when I can go back to my normal activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a stroke.
Where can I learn more?
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/stents/ ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/carotidendarterectomy/pages/alternatives.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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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚