Carotid stenosis occurs when fat deposits or plaques accumulate in the carotid artery, causing it to become hardened, less elastic and blocked. This can hinder blood flow from the neck to the brain significantly enough to cause a stroke. Other arteries in the heart and body can also be affected by stenosis, resulting in heart disease and peripheral artery disease. Vitamin D has been linked to heart health and may also affect the elasticity and health of artery walls. However, the effects of vitamin D on carotid stenosis are not yet conclusively determined. Consult your doctor about tests to check your risk of carotid stenosis.
Carotid Stenosis
Carotid stenosis is the blockage and narrowing of the artery that supplies blood to the brain. This disease is caused by the buildup of fat plaques and is also termed atherosclerosis. The University of Toronto explains that a stroke occurs when blood to a part of the brain is interrupted, causing a loss of vital oxygen and nutrients. Carotid stenosis is a primary cause of stroke, which is a major reason for disability and death. There are several factors that can lead to artery wall damage causing stenosis. These include high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, smoking and inflammation in the body.
Carotid Stenosis Treatment
The University of Toronto notes that treatment for carotid stenosis depends on the extent of the blockage and also on the ovarall health of the patient. In cases where there is less than 50-percent blockage, medications that inhibit blood clotting can help improve blood flow. In more severe cases, surgery called carotid endarerectomy may be necessary to remove the plaque buildup. However, this surgery carries a high risk for stroke and death. ScienceDaily reports that vitamin D may help prevent peripheral artery stenosis or slow its progress by reducing inflammation that affects the arteries and maintaining general blood vessel elasticity and strength to prevent narrowing. However, it is not yet known whether vitamin D will specifically affect carotid stenosis.
Vitamin D-Related Stenosis in the Heart
The University of Maryland Medical Center states that a vitamin D deficiency is linked to an increased risk of heart disease, particularly with patients with high blood pressure. Research published in the medical journal "Heart" showed that vitamin D receptor distribution on the aortic valve of the heart affected valve stenosis and heart disease. However, additional studies on the effects of vitamin D on the heart and arteries are ongoing and not yet conclusive.
Effects of Other Vitamins
Research published in the journal "Vascular and Endovascular Surgery" found that carotid stenosis was associated with increased oxidative stress or inflammation in the body. The study followed individuals who had undergone carotid endarterectomy surgery and found that patients that had significantly low vitamin C concentrations developed restenosis of the artery within 12 months. This benefit of vitamin C and other vitamins is thought to be due to its antioxidant effects, which help to decrease inflammation and maintain artery health.
References
- Vascular and Endovascular Surgery; Decreased Antioxidant Vitamin Concentration May Be a Risk Factor For Recurrent Carotid Stenosis; Reid J. et al, 2007 Aug-Sep;41(4):330-4
- Heart;The vitamin D receptor genotype predisposes to the development of calcific aortic valve stenosis; Ortlitt J. et al, 2001;85:635-638
- The Toronto Brain Vascular Malformation Study Group: Carotid Stenosis
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Atherosclerosis
- ScienceDaily: Vitamin D May Protect Against Peripheral Artery Disease
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