How Is Vulnerable Plaque Detected
How is vulnerable plaque detected?
Patients with this kind of plaque may not feel any symptoms. In the early stages of the process, the change in blood flow may not be detected with standard testing. Researchers are looking at unique scanning techniques that might highlight the presence of vulnerable plaque.
Cardiologists have found that by measuring the level of a substance called C-reactive protein in the bloodstream, they can predict a person's risk of heart attack or stroke. C-reactive protein is a marker that doctors use to measure inflammation activity in the body. Two large studies showed that the higher the C-reactive protein levels in the blood, the greater the risk of a heart attack.
Not all vulnerable plaque ruptures, and researchers are looking at ways to determine which vulnerable plaques are most likely to rupture. They found that the warmer the plaque, the more likely it will crack or rupture.
Patients can lower their C-reactive protein levels in the same ways they can cut their heart attack risk (healthier lifestyles). Doctors can check the C-reactive protein levels with a blood test, and many doctors are adding the test to their patients' cholesterol screening.
Recent studies show smoking is very dangerous for people who have vulnerable plaque in their arteries. The nicotine in cigarettes directly affects the inflammatory response, causing the release of more cytokines. Researchers are also studying how family history and genes factor into the inflammation process.
Medicines used for treating high blood pressure and aspirin, appear to reduce inflammation in the body, that might prevent heart attacks in people who already have high C-reactive protein levels.
Cholesterol lowering medicines called statins have been found to lower C-reactive protein levels. Doctors are now looking at how these medicines may be used to prevent heart attacks in people with normal cholesterol levels. Doctors are still studying the use of cholesterol-lowering medicines for this purpose.
Heart Disease
About Hypertensive Heart Disease
Depression And Coranary Heart Disease
Heart Disease
... appearance, but most importantly your pet's heart. Heartworm disease is one of the most common heart diseases that affect thousands of dogs, cats and other animals. Humans may even be affected by it, although there are no concrete cases to show that heartworm disease occur in humans. This condition is ...
... exhibit the other qualities in addition to smoking, if you look at the raw data and factor out the additional causes smoking still carries the strongest correlation to heart disease. Another huge factor in heart disease is stress. Doctors have noted that heart attacks strike in the months after severe ...
... include: Feeling of fullness (bloating) in the stomach with a loss of appetite or nausea. Extreme fatigue or decreased ability to complete daily activities. A respiratory infection or a cough that has become worse. Fast heart rate (above 100 beats per minute). New, irregular heartbeat. Chest pain or discomfort ...
... those listed above. Your best choice is to follow your doctor's advice and all instructions before and after the procedure, no matter which surgery you end up having. Heart disease can lead to a host of other serious medical conditions, so finding an effective heart disease treatment will be a high priority ...
... who have already experienced one. It is often recommended as one of the heart disease treatments as well, although the FDA has not approved it for this purpose. Aspirin can help to keep arteries open for blood to move through freely, but it is not right for everyone. Talk to your doctor about whether ...