What is arterial stenosis?

Arteries transport oxygenated blood to different tissues and organs of the body. This is essential for metabolic activities and sustaining life functions. Any narrowing of an artery will hamper the flow of blood and depending on the extent of the narrowing, known as stenosis, the artery may be partially or completely occluded (blocked).

Narrowing of an artery may not cause obvious signs and symptoms in the initial stages. If sufficient oxygenated blood is able to reach the target organs and tissues, the narrowing may go unnoticed for long periods of time. Diagnostic investigations like an angiogram may be the only way to identify the narrowing of an artery.

continue reading Narrowing Artery – Causes of Arterial Stenosis

Atherosclerosis is  the disease that is a result of progressive narrowing and hardening of the arteries.

Atherosclerosis arises as a result of plaques building up on the inner lining of the artery wall. These plaques are also known as atheromas or  atheromatous / atherosclerotic plaques. As the plaques grow larger, it occludes (blocks) the lumen of the artery to a greater extent until a point is reached where the blood flow to target organs and tissue is severely affected. This decreases oxygen supply leading to ischemia and possibly even infarct. It is often at this stage where the first signs and symptoms of atherosclerosis are noticed.

continue reading What is Atherosclerosis? Narrow Artery, Hard Arteries Disease

The carotid arteries are a group of arteries that rise up the neck to supply oxygenated blood to the brain, face and many other parts of the head. It is not the only supply of arterial blood to these areas but it is among the most significant. Injury, occlusion (blockage) or any rupture of these arteries can be life threatening.

Common Carotid Artery

The aorta is the large artery that carries oxygenated blood out of the heart and distributes this blood throughout the body. Two carotid arteries arises directly or indirectly from the aortic arch :

1. Right common carotid artery
2. Left common carotid artery

continue reading What and Where is the Neck Carotid Artery? Common, Internal, External

The presence of chest pain, especially if it is severe, often raises the concern about cardiac conditions like a heart attack (myocardial infarction). However this is not the only cause of severe chest pain and a number of factors have to be taken into consideration in order to discern cardiac chest pain from non-cardiac chest pain.

Cardiac Chest Pain

Cardiac chest pain in this context is considered as any pain attributed to ischemia – oxygen deprivation to the heart muscle. This must be taken very seriously as it can progress to an infarct (death of heart muscle tissue) without prompt and appropriate treatment. Example : heart attack (myocardial infarction).

Non-cardiac Chest Pain

Non-cardiac chest pain refers to pain due to other structures within the thoracic cavity. However, it must be remembered that certain conditions affecting the heart may not always result in ischemia and may therefore not present in a manner resembling ischemic cardiac pain. Example : GERD (heartburn), pleuritis or even pericarditis (inflammation of the lining around the heart).

continue reading Cardiac Chest Pain vs Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

What is Acute Limb Ischemia?

A blood clot in a vessel (thrombus or embolus) of the limbs (upper ~ arm, forearm and hand, lower ~ thigh, leg, feet) starves the area of oxygen (hypoxia) and leads to tissue damage (ischemia).This is known as acute limb ischemia. It should always be taken seriously as a blood clot at this site may eventually lead to cell death (infarct) and necrosis.

continue reading Blood Clot in Leg, Arm – Signs, Symptoms of Thrombosis, Embolism