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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Life Expectancy With The 95% Carotid Blockage?

My mother is having issues, and refusing medical attention. Her Carotid artery is 95% blocked on one side and 100% blocked on the other. She is refusing surgery. I am hoping for a timeline, if this goes untreated. She is having little strokes, and I am not sure if I need to start looking at assisted living or preparing myself for a death - what do you think? How long can you live with blockages like this? Age - 63, heavy smoker, heart attack 6 years ago, 6 stints (heart, groin)
posted on Sun, 23 Mar 2014
Twitter Wed, 3 Jun 2015 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 3 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
By the description you gave, your mother falls into the category of symptomatic critical carotid stenosis. The guidelines would suggest surgery or stenting to decrease the risk. However if she is managed conservatively the risk is 5-6 fold, but as you say if she continues to smoke and is irregular with meds, the absolute risk of major stroke(needing assisted living) is anywhere between 20-45% (us data), ocular infarts, where vision is compromised 15-20% 0while TIA more than 75%
I think you should explain her the possibility of assisted living to comply with treatment
Regards Dr priyank mody
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What Is The Life Expectancy With The 95% Carotid Blockage?

By the description you gave, your mother falls into the category of symptomatic critical carotid stenosis. The guidelines would suggest surgery or stenting to decrease the risk. However if she is managed conservatively the risk is 5-6 fold, but as you say if she continues to smoke and is irregular with meds, the absolute risk of major stroke(needing assisted living) is anywhere between 20-45% (us data), ocular infarts, where vision is compromised 15-20% 0while TIA more than 75% I think you should explain her the possibility of assisted living to comply with treatment Regards Dr priyank mody