Frequently Asked Patient Questions:

What is Carotid IMT and how does it work?

Scientist have noted that the thickness of the arteries is a predictive measure of a persons overall cardiovascular health.  If the arteries are inflamed, there is a greater risk of heart attack or stroke.  If there is plaque depositing in the arteries, there is an even greater relative risk of a cardiovascular event (heart attack or stroke). 

This inflammation and buildup occur on the innermost layers of the blood vessel.  It is a very sensitive measurement where tenths of a millimeter may mark significant changes to your medical provider.

Is there anything I can do to change my risk?

Absolutely.  Newer therapies are coming out all the time that makes huge impact on your cardiovascular health.    

Why would my arteries get thick or full of plaque?

There are hundreds of reasons why inflammation and buildup occur in the arteries.  Some people have poor cholesterol, blood pressure problems or just an evil smoking habit.  Some people have a set of genetics that try to cause them problems.   Most of these known problems are totally manageable. One persons therapy may just to be more active while another may be some aggressive measures.

How often might I want to get this done? 

This depends on your situation and your medical provider.   Some patients need closer follow up and may need the test every 6 months to a year.    Other patients may want to have it done every five years for thorough follow through.

This tool is useful to see statistical progression/regression of cardiovascular system.  Your goal should be to make the overall thickness thinner.  

 What is the deal with plaque?

 For a hundred reasons, your body may start having plaque build up on the walls of your arteries.  If you have fresh soft plaque in your arteries, your medical provider will want to watch it to make sure your body secures it by filling it with calcium.   

Soft plaque can pop like a pimple or break open like a half baked muffin.  If the soft goop hits the blood stream, the blood will create a massive clot around the goop.   When that traveling clot hit a sensitive area, it usually ends up as a heart attack and stroke. 

 That is why it is important you get a to medical facility that can get you that “clot-busting” drug within a sensitive time period as to avoid damage.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to email us and we’ll try to give you a response or point you in the right direction.