Heart failure is sometimes difficult to recognize because its symptoms can be subtle and easily confused with the normal signs of aging.. A simple neck exam can help detect early warning signs in men, according to a new study. , experts hope that thanks to this method they will be able to better determine the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Experts warn of difficulties in recognizing heart failure.
- In a new study, they claim that ultrasound of the carotid arteries is suitable for early identification of risks.
- This simple test monitors the elasticity and thickness of the carotid arteries.
Carotid artery ultrasound could benefit patients suffering from heart failure, researchers say. “It is a safe, simple, inexpensive and painless test. A patient who receives a result indicating a higher risk of future heart failure, can talk to your doctor about appropriate lifestyle changes,” said Dr. Atinuke Akinmolayan, who led the research.
The examination takes approximately 15 minutes and is performed with a small hand-held device that is gently moved along the neck. It allows doctors to monitor the flexibility of the carotid arteries, the main blood vessels that supply blood to the brain, face and neck. The large arteries in the body are naturally flexible, but with certain diseases and aging they can stiffen. This can cause an increase in blood pressure, which often leads to heart failure, heart attack and stroke.
The study itself included 1,631 men aged 71 to 92, and the researchers used data from the British Regional Heart Study database.. A team from England’s University College London (UCL) found that a quarter of those with the least flexible arteries was 2.5 times more likely to develop heart failure compared to other participants.
The research also looked at the thickness of the carotid arteries. The researchers found that men with thicker blood vessels were more likely to have a heart attack. “Increasing the thickness by 0.16 millimeters increased the risk by about 29 percent,” they wrote. “More research is needed, especially to see if this holds true for women as well,” Dr. Akinmolayan concluded.
A separate study, also led by UCL, suggests the scan could help millions of people with hard-to-treat high blood pressure. It is aimed at those who have a problem with excessive production of the hormone aldosterone in the adrenal glands, which regulates the level of salt in the body. The test is designed to detect overactive adrenal glands that traditional tests might miss.
