We asked Ross Naylor, professor of vascular surgery at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, what he would want to know if he was undergoing a carotid endarterectomy.
Why should I have this procedure?
Stroke is a very unkind condition. It can cause disability and death and, for the most part, strikes without warning. Please contact your doctor or local accident and emergency services as soon as you can if you:
- suffer a temporary loss of use or numbness in your face, arm or leg,
- have problems with your speech, or
- lose the vision in one eye.
If you have a severe carotid artery narrowing, you will get the most benefit from surgery if it is done as quickly as possible after a stroke. Never ignore the warning signs above.
Is there anything else I need to do to treat my condition?
As well as having surgery, you will usually be advised to take some medicines. These will probably include aspirin to reduce the chance of a blood clot forming and a statin, a type of medicine which reduces your cholesterol. Your doctor will also help you control your blood pressure, possibly with medication. Taking the medicines you are prescribed is essential, even if you have surgery.
How can I help reduce my long-term risk of stroke and heart attack?
It's essential that you consider important lifestyle changes so that your long-term risk of stroke and heart attack is reduced to the minimum. This includes stopping smoking, losing weight, moderating alcohol intake, eating sensibly and taking some form of exercise. Your family doctor will be able to help you with this and most GPs run smoking cessation clinics. At times it may be frustrating and very difficult to change your diet or stop smoking. But over time, making these changes will dramatically reduce you risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
