Once you are over this age, carotid artery plaque will come to you! Severe cases can cause stroke, so don't take it lightly!

During a routine annual physical examination, Ms. Zhang received a result that surprised her a little.

The physical examination report showed that there were actually several small plaques hidden in the carotid artery that she had always thought was normal . When she first received the report, Ms. Zhang thought she had seen it wrong, because apart from occasional work pressure, she felt that her lifestyle was healthy. I believe that many people have had similar experiences as Ms. Zhang, who suddenly discovered the presence of carotid artery plaques during a physical examination.

In China, the detection rate of carotid artery plaques in people over 40 years old is 40%, while the detection rate in people over 60 years old is almost 100% ! So what effect does this plaque have on our body? Is there any way to reverse it?

Let me first give the answer: Yes, but it is conditional .

What are the effects of carotid artery plaque?

Imagine your body is a sophisticated machine, blood is the fluid flowing through it, and the carotid artery is one of the main fluid channels.

Now, if some impurities, such as plaque, accumulate in this infusion tube, the operation of this machine may have problems. Carotid artery plaque is just such an impurity that forms silently in our body.

Simply put, carotid plaques are formed by the accumulation of fat, cholesterol, calcium, cell debris and other substances on the inner wall of the carotid artery. They are like scale deposited on the wall of a water pipe, which will narrow the pipe and affect the water flow over time .

In our body, the presence of carotid artery plaque means that the blood flow to the brain may be blocked. When the blockage is not serious, we may not feel it ourselves, but if it is allowed to develop, the consequences can be serious - from dizziness and fatigue to more serious stroke and cardiovascular disease .

Carotid artery plaque narrows the blood vessels. Copyright image. Reprinting and using may cause copyright disputes.

Recently, Professor Li Liming's team from Peking University School of Public Health published a study in JAMA Network Open, which showed that among the more than 10.7 million Chinese adults they surveyed, one in five had plaques in their carotid arteries . This number is quite shocking, and it tells us that carotid artery plaques are not rare, but a fairly common health hazard.

Therefore, it is very important for each of us to understand carotid artery plaque. Only in this way can we take effective preventive measures to ensure that our "machine" runs smoothly and avoid unnecessary health risks.

How do carotid artery plaques come about?

So where do carotid artery plaques come from? The answer is not mysterious. It is closely related to our lifestyle and genetic factors.

First, we have to acknowledge that everyone’s lifestyle is a potential canvas for carotid artery plaque formation. Friends who have long enjoyed a high-fat, high-salt diet may inadvertently pave the way for plaque formation. Similarly, if you lack sufficient physical exercise, this sedentary lifestyle may also be a catalyst for plaque formation.

In addition to lifestyle factors that we can control, there are also some uncontrollable factors that are also at work. For example, genetics. If there is a history of cardiovascular disease in your family, then you may be naturally more likely to accumulate these uninvited guests. In addition, the risk of carotid artery plaque naturally increases with age.

From reference [1]: Age- and sex-specific prevalence of increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT), carotid plaque (CP), and carotid stenosis (CS) standardized by region

Knowing the risk factors, the next step is naturally how to detect these hidden plaques.

Fortunately, with the advancement of medical technology, we now have a variety of ways to diagnose carotid artery plaque. One of the most commonly used methods is through ultrasound examination, which is a non-invasive and relatively easy examination method that can help doctors detect plaque in the carotid artery and assess its size and possible risks.

However, there is currently no recognized inspection frequency and plan. We only need to maintain regular physical examinations, which is particularly important when you find that you meet one or more of the above risk factors.

By doing this, we can identify potential problems early and take appropriate steps to avoid more serious health problems. Remember, prevention is always wiser than cure .

Carotid artery plaque can be reversed!

When we talk about preventing carotid plaque, we’re really talking about simple yet effective ways to protect the health of our “inner highways”—our vascular system . Let’s take a step-by-step look at how to do this.

First of all, prevention is always better than cure . A balanced diet and moderate exercise are two magic weapons to prevent carotid artery plaque. Incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains into your daily diet can help lower the level of harmful cholesterol in your blood, thereby reducing the chance of plaque formation. At the same time, at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week, such as brisk walking or cycling, can strengthen heart function and keep blood vessels elastic and clean.

Next, we want to talk about the importance of health management. Regular physical examinations can help us detect plaques that may exist in the carotid artery in a timely manner , especially for those who have a family history of cardiovascular disease, or those with chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes . They should pay more attention to the health check of the carotid artery. Through non-invasive examination methods such as ultrasound, we can understand the condition of the carotid artery in a timely manner and take corresponding preventive or treatment measures.

Copyright images in the gallery. Reprinting and using them may lead to copyright disputes.

When we find carotid plaques, we don’t need to worry too much. It doesn’t mean that a stroke will definitely develop. At this time, active lifestyle adjustments are our first measure.

Adjust your diet, control your blood pressure and blood sugar, avoid high-fat foods, quit smoking, and maintain moderate exercise. Reduce these risk factors and, if necessary , take cholesterol-lowering or lipid-lowering drugs under the guidance of a doctor based on the test results. The younger you are, the more likely you are to reverse plaques and make them smaller .

In some cases, if the plaque has become too severe to block blood flow or if there is a high risk of stroke, your doctor may recommend further treatment, such as carotid endarterectomy or carotid artery stenting. These treatments can effectively restore blood flow to the carotid artery and reduce the risk of future cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

Through a balanced diet, regular exercise, active lifestyle adjustments and timely medical intervention, we are fully capable of managing and controlling carotid artery plaques and protecting ourselves from the threat of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. In addition, a healthy lifestyle can not only prevent carotid artery plaques, but also bring us a more energetic and healthy life.

References

[1]Fu J, Deng Y, Ma Y, et al. National and Provincial-Level Prevalence and Risk Factors of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Chinese Adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(1):e2351225.

[2] Liu Juan, Zhou Huadong, Deng Juan, et al. Advances in diagnosis and treatment of asymptomatic carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. Chinese Medical Journal, 2017, 97 (39): 3114-3117.

[3]Mendieta G, Pocock S, Mass V, et al. Determinants of Progression and Regression of Subclinical Atherosclerosis Over 6 Years. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2023;82(22):2069-2083.

Planning and production

Author: Jiang Yongyuan, Master of Internal Medicine, Third Military Medical University

Reviewer: Tang Qin, Director and Researcher of the Science Popularization Department of the Chinese Medical Association

Planning丨Yinuo

Editor: Yinuo

Proofread by Xu Lai and Lin Lin