Hyperechoic carotid plaque

People are generally anxious when plaques appear on the carotid artery, because plaques on the carotid artery are likely caused by carotid artery occlusion or carotid artery disease, which is a common disease in the elderly. If carotid artery plaque is not treated promptly, it may lead to insufficient blood supply to the brain and cause cerebral infarction. If there is plaque echo in the carotid artery during the examination, is it definitely caused by disease?

Not all plaques are pathogenic.

The appearance of carotid artery plaques indicates that atherosclerotic lesions have occurred in the carotid arteries, and also suggests that similar lesions have occurred in other arteries in the body (such as coronary arteries, intracranial arteries, etc.). If not controlled, the risk of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction and cerebral stroke will increase, which is one of the suggestive values ​​of carotid artery plaque.

Secondly, the carotid artery is responsible for supplying blood to the brain. If the plaque gradually grows and causes a significant narrowing of the lumen, it will cause cerebral ischemia and hypoxia, forming cerebrovascular disease, and in severe cases, a stroke, also known as cerebral infarction, may occur.

Three types of carotid artery stenosis

▲Schematic diagram of carotid artery stenosis

Carotid artery stenosis < 50%

If the plaque is very small, there is no obvious stenosis of the carotid artery, the degree of stenosis does not exceed 50%, and there are no symptoms of cerebral ischemia, there is generally no need to treat the plaque itself. Instead, it is necessary to insist on controlling blood pressure, controlling cholesterol, controlling blood sugar, quitting smoking, controlling weight, etc. These are effective measures to prevent plaque growth.

50%< Carotid artery stenosis<70%

If the plaque is large and causes the carotid artery lumen to narrow by more than 50%, statin treatment is needed immediately under the guidance of a doctor, and the treatment must be continued for a long time to control the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol below 1.8mmol/L.

Carotid artery stenosis > 70%

If the carotid artery lumen is narrowed by more than 70%, regardless of whether there are symptoms of cerebral ischemia or not, you should go to a regular hospital for treatment immediately.

Health tips from famous experts

There are many factors that lead to the formation of arterial plaques, such as aging, high blood pressure, high blood lipids, diabetes, smoking, obesity, etc. After discovering carotid artery plaques, you should pay more attention to controlling the above risk factors, otherwise the plaques will become more and more numerous and grow larger, leading to the occurrence of coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease.