During a routine annual check-up, Ms. Zhang received a result that surprised her.
The physical examination report showed that in the carotid artery, which she had always thought was unremarkable, there were several small plaques quietly buried. When she first got the report, Ms. Zhang thought she had mistaken it, because apart from the occasional work pressure, she felt that her lifestyle was quite healthy. I believe that many people have had a similar experience to Ms. Zhang, and the existence of carotid plaque was suddenly discovered during the physical examination.
In mainland China, the detection rate of carotid plaque in people over 40 years old is 40%, and in people over 60 years old, the detection rate is almost as high as 100%! So what is the effect of this plaque on our body? Is there a way to reverse it?
Let's start with the answer: Yes, but there are conditions.
What are the effects of carotid plaque?
Imagine that your body is a delicate machine, and the blood is the fluid that flows through it, and the carotid artery is one of the main infusion tubes.
Now, if there are impurities, such as "plaque", in this infusion tube, then there may be a problem with the operation of the machine. Carotid plaque is such a "impurity" that is quietly formed in our body.
In simple terms, carotid plaque is formed by the accumulation of fat, cholesterol, calcium, cell debris and other substances on the inner wall of the carotid artery. They are like limescale deposited on the walls of water pipes, which over time can narrow the pipes and affect the flow of water.
In our body, the presence of carotid plaque means that the passage of blood to the brain may be blocked, and when the blockage is not large, we may not feel it ourselves, but if left unchecked, the consequences can be huge - from dizziness and fatigue to more serious strokes and cardiovascular diseases.
Carotid plaque narrows blood vessels. The stock copyright picture, reprinting and using may cause copyright disputes
Recently, Professor Li Liming's team at Peking University's School of Public Health published a study in the JAMA Network Open, which showed that one in five of the more than 10.7 million Chinese adults they surveyed had plaque in their carotid arteries. This number is quite staggering, and it tells us that carotid plaque is not an uncommon thing, but a fairly common health hazard.
Therefore, understanding carotid plaque is crucial for each of us. Only in this way can we take effective precautions to ensure that our "machines" run smoothly and avoid unnecessary health risks.
How does carotid plaque come about?
So where does carotid plaque come about? The answer is not mysterious, it is closely related to our lifestyle, genetic factors.
First of all, we have to admit that everyone's lifestyle is a potential canvas for carotid plaque formation. Those who have been enjoying a high-fat, high-salt diet for a long time may inadvertently pave the way for plaque formation. Similarly, if you lack enough physical activity, then this static lifestyle can also be a catalyst for plaque formation.
In addition to the lifestyle we can control, there are also some uncontrollable factors at work. Say, heredity. If you have a history of cardiovascular disease in your family, then you may be inherently more prone to accumulating these uninvited guests. In addition, the risk of carotid plaque naturally increases as we age.
From Reference[1]: Increased age and sex prevalence of carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid plaque (CP), and carotid stenosis (CS) normalized by region
Knowing the risk factors, the next natural step is how to spot these hidden plaques.
Fortunately, with advances in medical technology, we now have a variety of ways to diagnose carotid plaque. One of the most commonly used methods is ultrasonography, which is a non-invasive and relatively easy test to help doctors detect plaque in the carotid arteries and assess their size and possible risks.
However, there is no accepted frequency and protocol for check-ups, and it is important to maintain regular check-ups, especially if you find that you meet one or more of the risk factors listed above.
With such check-ups, we can detect potential problems early and take appropriate measures to avoid more serious health problems. Remember, prevention is always wiser than cure.
Carotid plaque can be reversed!
When we talk about the prevention of carotid plaque, we are really talking about how to protect the health of our "internal highway" – the vascular system – through simple and effective methods. Let's take a step-by-step look at how to do that.
First of all, prevention is always better than cure. A balanced diet and moderate exercise are two of the best ways to prevent carotid plaque. Incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your daily diet can help lower the level of bad cholesterol in your blood, which can reduce the chance of plaque formation. At the same time, at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise, such as brisk walking or cycling, can strengthen heart function and keep blood vessels elastic and clean.
Next, let's talk about the importance of health management. Regular physical examinations can help us detect possible plaque in the carotid arteries in time, especially for those who have a family history of cardiovascular disease, or people with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Through non-invasive examination methods such as ultrasound, we can understand the condition of the carotid artery in time and take corresponding preventive or therapeutic measures.
The stock copyright picture, reprinting and using may cause copyright disputes
And when we find out that carotid plaque exists, we don't need to worry too much, it doesn't mean that the carotid plaque will definitely develop. At this time, positive lifestyle modifications are our top priority.
Adjust your diet, control your blood pressure and blood sugar, avoid high-fat diets, quit smoking, and exercise moderately. By mitigating these risk factors and, if necessary, taking cholesterol or lipid-lowering medications under the guidance of your doctor based on the results of laboratory tests, the younger you are, the more likely you are to reverse the plaque and make it smaller.
In some cases, if the plaque has caused a significant obstruction of blood flow or if there is a high risk of stroke, your doctor may recommend further treatments, such as carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting. These treatments can effectively restore blood flow to the carotid arteries and reduce the risk of future cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.
Through a balanced diet, regular exercise, active lifestyle modifications, and timely medical intervention, we are fully capable of managing and controlling carotid plaque and protecting ourselves from the threat of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In addition, a healthy lifestyle not only prevents carotid plaque, but also leads to a more energetic and healthy life.
Source: Popular Science China