Question 1

should a 87 year old alzheimer's patient have surgery to clear a blocked carotid artery?

Accepted Answer

Good Question: Blocked carotid arteries are treated in order to prevent a major stroke. Patients with alzheimer's disease are forgetful, they have not had a stroke. If this 87y/o is still functional, then carotid surgery makes sense. If not, then the family should decide whether the benefit of surgery is worth the risk.

Question 2

is it worth it for an eighty-seven year old alzheimer's patient to have surgery to clear a blocked carotid artery?

Accepted Answer

No 1 answer fits all: Every surgery has risks and benefits. Each specific person and their particular health history also bring benefits and risks to the discussion. Answering this question for any particular person is best done with honest open communication discussing all of the risks and benefits between the healthcare team and the person most effected.

Question 3

clear angiogram 2013 before 
heart valve surgery.how many yrs is angiogram good for before plaque build up?
healthyish diet.grandmother lived to 72 had atherosclerosis and mother had stroke from carotid artery at 74.my bmi 22.9 good bp. non smoker?

Accepted Answer

: I don’t think anyone knows how long it takes plaque to develop. The most important thing thing is what you do: watching your cholesterol (diet); blood pressure; exercise; monitoring your blood sugar. All of those things will help to keep your blood vessels clean. Good luck

Question 4

is surgery for blocked carotid artery dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Carotid: Carotid artery surgery has stroke as one of its complications. As such it is not without significant risk.

Question 5

i have a 100% occluded carotid artery. when should i consider surgery?

Accepted Answer

Don't: If the artery is 100% occluded surgery or a stent is not neccessary or possible. The artery when 100% blocked occludes up to the brain and cannot be opened up. The risk of carotid blockage is when it is severely narrowed ie >80%; then a piece of plaque can break off, lodge in the brain and caues a stroke. If the artery is 100% blocked nothing can break off. The other arteries should be checked.

Question 6

what is the recuperation for carotid artery surgery?

Accepted Answer

2-6 weeks: If it was done for patient with no neurological deficit then two weeks to go back to light duties and probably six weeks for full activity.

Question 7

carotid artery disease.  is it reversible w/o surgery?

Accepted Answer

Sort of: Fix risk factors. No smoking. BP control. Take Aspirin and statin if ordered by your doc. Diabetes control. See stroke.Org.

Question 8

my husband was diagnosed with a twisted or torqued left carotid artery. does he need surgery?

Accepted Answer

Depends: The carotid arteries can elongate with age and long standing hypertension. Sometimes they present as a bulge in the neck, and Ultrasound shows the elongated artery. If there are NO symptoms, (TIA, stroke) and no significant blockage due to plaque they can be OBSERVED with a vascular monitoring team. Okay to ask for second opinion or more detail if surgery has been recommended by a surgeon. Be well

Question 9

what to do if i'm a 55 yo female, diagnosed with a 80% carotid artery blockage. will i need surgery?

Accepted Answer

See a neurologist. : You need a thorough neurological exam. May need additional imaging of your carotid arteries or brain. CTA and or MRI. You may be placed on Aspirin and plavix (clopidogrel). If needed you will be sent to a surgeon to remove the plaque. Please no smoking. See stroke.org.

Question 10

is it recommended to have surgery when one carotid artery is completely blocked and the other is 70 % block. with a prior history of a stroke 3 years ago?

Accepted Answer

: Yes, it should be done.

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Doctor answers about:

Can you be cleared for elective surgery with swollen carotid arteries

A member asked:

Should a 87 year old alzheimer's patient have surgery to clear a blocked carotid artery?

A member asked:

Is it worth it for an eighty-seven year old alzheimer's patient to have surgery to clear a blocked carotid artery?

A member asked:

Clear angiogram 2013 before heart valve surgery.how many yrs is angiogram good for before plaque build up? healthyish diet.grandmother lived to 72 had atherosclerosis and mother had stroke from carotid artery at 74.my bmi 22.9 good bp. non smoker?

A member asked:

Is surgery for blocked carotid artery dangerous?

A member asked:

I have a 100% occluded carotid artery. when should i consider surgery?

A member asked:

What is the recuperation for carotid artery surgery?

A member asked:

Carotid artery disease. is it reversible w/o surgery?

A member asked:

My husband was diagnosed with a twisted or torqued left carotid artery. does he need surgery?

A member asked:

What to do if i'm a 55 yo female, diagnosed with a 80% carotid artery blockage. will i need surgery?

A member asked:

Is it recommended to have surgery when one carotid artery is completely blocked and the other is 70 % block. with a prior history of a stroke 3 years ago?

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