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Should One Quit Smoking While Suffering From Carotid Artery Disease?
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HMC!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that in this clinical situation is necessary to reduce and maintain under control cardiovascular risk factors such as:
- smoking. It is important avoid smoking or smoking contacts
- high blood pressure: it is necessary a better control of blood pressure
- diabetes
- dyslipidemia: it is important to periodically check your blood lipid profile
- obesity: you should try to lose some weight if you are overweight
- perform a lot of physical activity ( walking, aerobics) and avoid sedentary life.
A better control of these risk factors will help reduce the progression of this disease.
I would also advice taking daily aspirin ( antiplatelet agent) and a station ( atorvastatin, simvastatin) if you have no containdications to these drugs. They help prevent possible future stroke events.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr.Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HMC!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that in this clinical situation is necessary to reduce and maintain under control cardiovascular risk factors such as:
- smoking. It is important avoid smoking or smoking contacts
- high blood pressure: it is necessary a better control of blood pressure
- diabetes
- dyslipidemia: it is important to periodically check your blood lipid profile
- obesity: you should try to lose some weight if you are overweight
- perform a lot of physical activity ( walking, aerobics) and avoid sedentary life.
A better control of these risk factors will help reduce the progression of this disease.
I would also advice taking daily aspirin ( antiplatelet agent) and a station ( atorvastatin, simvastatin) if you have no containdications to these drugs. They help prevent possible future stroke events.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr.Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Will a doctor perform this even if I don't quit smoking? I take asperin daily, vitamin D, amlodipine, and metoprolol tartrate.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
This is a difficult question, but you should understand that our duty (as well as your doctor duty) is to give recommendations on what is the best for your health.
If you do not want to follow those recommendations, the doctor can not force you to do so. Mistakes and addiction are human too.
As a doctor he will be always ready to help you, even though you do not want to follow his advises.
If there is a severe carotid stenosis, with progression and a high risk for stroke, you will need to perform stenting or surgery. I am sure that your doctor will be there to help you in this regard.
Another thing, I would explain is that atherosclerosis is a generalized process, involving also the small arteries (in the brain and heart). So, as smoking accelerates this process, you may be at an increased risk of a heart attack or a stroke.
I would also recommend performing a cardiac stress test to exclude coronary artery disease, which often coexists with carotid artery disease.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
This is a difficult question, but you should understand that our duty (as well as your doctor duty) is to give recommendations on what is the best for your health.
If you do not want to follow those recommendations, the doctor can not force you to do so. Mistakes and addiction are human too.
As a doctor he will be always ready to help you, even though you do not want to follow his advises.
If there is a severe carotid stenosis, with progression and a high risk for stroke, you will need to perform stenting or surgery. I am sure that your doctor will be there to help you in this regard.
Another thing, I would explain is that atherosclerosis is a generalized process, involving also the small arteries (in the brain and heart). So, as smoking accelerates this process, you may be at an increased risk of a heart attack or a stroke.
I would also recommend performing a cardiac stress test to exclude coronary artery disease, which often coexists with carotid artery disease.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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