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Can Plaque In The Carotid Bulb Cause High Blood Pressure?
Posted on
Sat, 23 Mar 2019
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 23 Mar 2019
Answered on
Last reviewed on
Question : can plaque in the carotid bulb cause high blood pressure? also how can I get rid of the plaque in the carotid bulb. I do not have high blood pressure unless something is going on internally, like when I needed my gallbladder out. Since May of last year my blood pressure spikes in the middle of the night. this comes and goes sometimes for a month or so then blood pressure returns to normal. now the blood pressure is up all the time. I have had a heart XXXXXXX cat scan of abdomen. nothing really shows anything. labs are good except LDL is a little high. what can be going on? could this all be due to the plaque in the carotid bulb?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!
I understand your concern and would explain that a plaque in the carotid artery does not lead to arterial hypertension or high LDL, but it is a consequence of these two cardio vascular risk factors.
For this reason, I would recommend trying to maintain a normal blood pressure values and try to lower the LDL levels in order to stop the progression of the plaque.
For this reason I would recommend aerobics and a diet with low fat and sugar.
If high LDL values persist, taking atorvastatin may help.
Low salt and caffeine intake in diet can help reduce blood pressure values.
Anyway, there is no definite solution for the plaque besides surgery which is with high risk and is indicated only in case the plaque is causing serious narrowing of the carotid (more than 70%) or is causing TIA( transient ischemic events).
Follow up every 6-12 months with Doppler ultrasound is necessary to examine the possible progression of the plaque.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr..Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!
I understand your concern and would explain that a plaque in the carotid artery does not lead to arterial hypertension or high LDL, but it is a consequence of these two cardio vascular risk factors.
For this reason, I would recommend trying to maintain a normal blood pressure values and try to lower the LDL levels in order to stop the progression of the plaque.
For this reason I would recommend aerobics and a diet with low fat and sugar.
If high LDL values persist, taking atorvastatin may help.
Low salt and caffeine intake in diet can help reduce blood pressure values.
Anyway, there is no definite solution for the plaque besides surgery which is with high risk and is indicated only in case the plaque is causing serious narrowing of the carotid (more than 70%) or is causing TIA( transient ischemic events).
Follow up every 6-12 months with Doppler ultrasound is necessary to examine the possible progression of the plaque.
Hope you will find this answer helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr..Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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