What are the causes of cervical artery blockage and how can it be prevented?

Our blood vessels are like water pipes. The older we get, the more garbage will accumulate in our blood vessels. These garbage will accumulate and form plaques. If they are not cleaned in time, the plaques will become larger and larger, and the blood vessels will become narrower and narrower day by day, and eventually the blood vessels will be blocked!

There are three main reasons why the carotid artery is most likely to be blocked:

1. Unique Y-shaped structure: There is a "Y-shaped" bifurcation near the head and neck, where the carotid artery cavity is prone to stenosis or even complete blockage!

2. The carotid artery is relatively narrow: Compared with other aortas, the carotid artery is narrower and is more likely to be blocked when there are impurities or plaques in the blood.

3. Cervical atherosclerosis: Cervical atherosclerosis is a disease in which a layer of flabby lipids is deposited on the arterial wall, reducing the elasticity of the carotid artery and narrowing the lumen.

How to prevent carotid artery obstruction?

1. Control "bad cholesterol"

Low-density lipoprotein is also known as "bad cholesterol". The cholesterol it carries will accumulate on the arterial wall, which can easily cause arteriosclerosis over time. Eat less fried foods.

2. Regularly perform carotid ultrasound

Cervical color Doppler ultrasound, the full name of which is "cervical vascular color Doppler ultrasound examination", is the most convenient means to screen for risk factors of cervical atherosclerosis and cerebrovascular disease!

3. Detect body signals in time

Detect the body's signals in time. In the early stages of carotid artery obstruction, symptoms may include sudden dizziness, occasional weakness or numbness on one side of the face or limbs, or short-term difficulty speaking or blacking out of the eyes. At this time, a carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound examination should be performed.

4. Control chronic diseases

Usually, we should also control chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood lipids, obesity, etc. In life, we should quit smoking and limit alcohol, and control the intake of meat, fat and salt.