Reducing Risks

Benjamin Roach, M.D.

….of Stroke

Proper attention to controllable risk factors can reduce the chance of a stroke. Risk factors that lead to stroke include high blood pressure, heart disease, smoking, excess weight, and diabetes. The chance of having a stroke also increases with age and males have a slightly higher stroke risk than females.

 
….of Cardiovascular Disease

Atherosclerosis is the main cause of a group of diseases called cardiovascular diseases - diseases of the heart and blood vessels. Atherosclerosis, a build up of plaque on the wall of an artery, can lead to clogged arteries in any part of the body. Normally, there are no symptoms of atherosclerosis until one or more arteries are so clogged with plaque that blood flow is severely reduced, or a blood clot forms, completely blocking an already narrowed artery. Some plaques can rupture or burst causing blood clotting inside the artery. If a blood clot totally blocks the flow of blood through an artery, a heart attack or stroke can occur.

“There are a number of risk factors which can raise your chances of developing atherosclerosis,” Charles Rhodes, M.D., said. “The most common factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, a family history of atherosclerosis, and being physically inactive. The more risk factors an individual has, the more likely they are to develop atherosclerosis. Rhodes notes that the most important way to prevent cardiovascular disease is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. “Individuals should adopt a healthy diet, have regular physical activity, stop smoking, and maintain a healthy weight to prevent cardiovascular disease such as atherosclerosis.”

….of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Heart disease and stroke are recognized by the public as important signs of cardiovascular disease. OLBH radiologist, Benjamin Roach, M.D., states, another potentially fatal symptom of cardiovascular disease and the effects of hardening of the arteries is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). “Approximately one in every 250 people over the age of 50 will die of a ruptured AAA,” Roach said.

Usually discovered by accident in a physician's office, an aortic aneurysm is a weak or damaged area of the aorta - the body’s largest artery. “As blood flows through the aorta, the weak area bulges like a balloon and forms an aneurysm,” Roach explained. If this bulging becomes too large, it may burst or rupture causing a life-threatening situation that requires immediate emergency care. Fortunately, when an AAA is diagnosed early it can be successfully treated and rupture is prevented.

The OLBH Vascular Center is equipped with superior technology to determine if an aneurysm is present. By utilizing special tools and computer imaging, the center’s specialized professionals can examine the body’s arteries and diagnose an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

“Treatment is then planned based on the size of the aneurysm and its relationship to other arteries within the body,” Roach said. “Aneurysms exceeding a diameter set by your primary care physician will require surgery. Small aneurysms may require no immediate treatment other than checking the aneurysm regularly to be certain it does not grow.”

AAA can affect anybody, but most commonly occurs in men between the ages of 40 and 70. Even children can develop them as a result of trauma or certain medical conditions. Contributing risk factors include hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, inflammation or infection and cigarette smoking.

Limiting alcohol consumption, quitting smoking, lowering the amount of cholesterol and salt in one’s diet, exercising, and losing weight can help prevent aneurysms.

If you are affected by any of the above risk factors for stroke, cardiovascular disease or aneurysms, please speak with your physician about detection and early treatment methods available at the OLBH Vascular Center. If you do not have a family physician, please contact the OLBH CareLine at (606) 833-CARE (2273) for a family physician referral.