Atherosclerosis is an underlying pathology that can lead to common cardiovascular diseases including coronary heart disease, stroke, and acute myocardial infarction. It is also the leading cause of death in the United States.1 Atherosclerosis-related disease accumulated to 68% of deaths in the United States in the year 2010.1 Often, it remains undiagnosed and is only determined as an underlying cause when an individual has a dangerous episode of stroke or myocardial infarction. Atherosclerosis is the process of plaque formation within medium to large arteries. The actual cause of the pathology is unknown; however, there are many risk factors that contribute to atherosclerosis including: cigarette smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes
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Specifically these three procedures are angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and carotid endarterectomy. The purpose of these three procedures is to clear an artery of any plaque buildup to reduce any chance of cardiac ischemia, angina, thrombosis, or embolism to name a few. These three techniques will help reduce the chance of myocardial infarction and stroke. Angioplasty is one of the most common medical treatments used for atherosclerosis. There are three steps to complete an angioplasty: a medical doctor will insert a catheter into a blood vessel in the groin, and maneuver it into the clogged artery on the outer surface of the heart. Once the catheter is in place, a balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated and deflated which will flatten the cholesterol plaque that 's blocking blood flow. Lastly, a stent is left behind to prop open the artery. According to Harvard medical school, angioplasty restores healthy blood flow to oxygen-starved heart muscle without opening the chest, splitting apart the breastbone, and stopping the heart.3 At rest, a narrowed blood vessel will be able to deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to satisfy its needs; however, during physical activity or stress, the vessel cannot open up enough to carry the amount of extra blood needed when the heart muscle demands more oxygen. The procedure to complete angioplasty takes a …show more content…
Just like the heart, the brain requires a constant supply of oxygen rich blood in order for the brain cells to function properly. Carotid endarterectomy is a type of surgery used to remove plaque from the carotid arteries, which are located on both sides of the neck. A medical doctor may suggest carotid endarteretomy if a carotid artery is narrowed up to 70% or more. The Texas Heart Institute published an article stating, during the operation, the surgeon peels the plaque away from the carotid artery. Once the plaque is removed from the carotid artery, more oxygen-rich blood can flow through the artery to the brain, reducing the risk of stroke.5 The downside of this surgery is that not everyone is a candidate for this procedure. People who have had a TIA, which is a result of narrowed blood vessels in the back of the head, severe CAD, HBP that is not controlled by medication, severe atherosclerosis in many places in the body, and heart and kidney failure are not allowed to proceed with this
Specifically these three procedures are angioplasty, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and carotid endarterectomy. The purpose of these three procedures is to clear an artery of any plaque buildup to reduce any chance of cardiac ischemia, angina, thrombosis, or embolism to name a few. These three techniques will help reduce the chance of myocardial infarction and stroke. Angioplasty is one of the most common medical treatments used for atherosclerosis. There are three steps to complete an angioplasty: a medical doctor will insert a catheter into a blood vessel in the groin, and maneuver it into the clogged artery on the outer surface of the heart. Once the catheter is in place, a balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated and deflated which will flatten the cholesterol plaque that 's blocking blood flow. Lastly, a stent is left behind to prop open the artery. According to Harvard medical school, angioplasty restores healthy blood flow to oxygen-starved heart muscle without opening the chest, splitting apart the breastbone, and stopping the heart.3 At rest, a narrowed blood vessel will be able to deliver enough oxygen-rich blood to satisfy its needs; however, during physical activity or stress, the vessel cannot open up enough to carry the amount of extra blood needed when the heart muscle demands more oxygen. The procedure to complete angioplasty takes a …show more content…
Just like the heart, the brain requires a constant supply of oxygen rich blood in order for the brain cells to function properly. Carotid endarterectomy is a type of surgery used to remove plaque from the carotid arteries, which are located on both sides of the neck. A medical doctor may suggest carotid endarteretomy if a carotid artery is narrowed up to 70% or more. The Texas Heart Institute published an article stating, during the operation, the surgeon peels the plaque away from the carotid artery. Once the plaque is removed from the carotid artery, more oxygen-rich blood can flow through the artery to the brain, reducing the risk of stroke.5 The downside of this surgery is that not everyone is a candidate for this procedure. People who have had a TIA, which is a result of narrowed blood vessels in the back of the head, severe CAD, HBP that is not controlled by medication, severe atherosclerosis in many places in the body, and heart and kidney failure are not allowed to proceed with this