What is Carotid Artery Disease? Are You at Risk?

Carotid artery disease (CAD) occurs when the major arteries in your neck become narrowed or blocked. These arteries, called the carotid arteries, supply your brain with blood. The two carotid arteries, one on each side of the neck, are the main blood supply to the brain. Each carotid artery extends upward from the aorta in the chest and into the base of the skull to enter the brain.

Carotid artery disease can lead to stroke

Approximately 25% of strokes are caused by carotid artery disease from atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque in the arteries that carry blood to the brain. Eventually, the artery narrows, blood flow is decreased, and the risk of stroke is increased. The patient may experience symptoms such as blurred vision, slurred speech, or weakness, which are all signs of stroke.

By removing the fat and cholesterol build-up inside the artery, adequate blood flow is restored, which can help prevent a stroke. Blockages of carotid arteries in the neck are responsible for more than half of all strokes.

                                            

       

     Click on the video to hear Dr. William Julien talk about treatment for CAD

Atherosclerosis can lead to carotid artery disease

As people age, arterial plaque made up of cholesterol, other lipids, calcium, and fibrous tissue can build up in the walls of their arteries. As the plaque deposits enlarge, the arteries become narrow and stiffened, causing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which tends to develop later in life.
Atherosclerosis begins with partial but progressive blockage or narrowing of arteries. When enough plaque has accumulated to interfere with blood flow in the main arteries to the brain, a person is said to have severe carotid artery disease. A complete blockage that stops all blood flow through the carotid artery can follow.

To learn more about carotid artery disease (CAD) visit our educational page to learn about symptoms, risk factors and minimally invasive treatment options performed by our board certified, endovascular surgeons Dr. William Julien and Dr. Curtis Anderson at South Florida Vascular Associates.

Can Diet Improve Your Blood Circulation?

A healthy circulatory system is responsible for the steady flow of blood, oxygen, nutrients, and disease-fighting immune cells throughout your body. Without the circulatory system, the body would not be able to fight disease or maintain a stable internal environment.

In a unhealthy circulatory system, you could have poor blood circulation which can occur from fatty plaques known as atherosclerosis, and blood clots that block the normal flow of blood through the arteries into your limbs. Atherosclerosis raises your risk of vascular and heart disease contributing to peripheral artery disease, heart attack and stroke.

Studies have shown that by adding certain foods to your diet such as garlic, fruits and whole grains, you can help to keep your blood vessels healthy and improve circulation. Below are some of the super foods you might consider incorporating into your weekly diet.

Fiber Helps Reduce Cholesterol

If you have poor blood circulation because of atherosclerosis, your cholesterol levels may be high so reducing these levels can help improve your artery and heart health. The National Institutes of Health recommends eating a diet that contains less than 200 milligrams of cholesterol per day. Foods that contain fiber, such as whole grains, oats, apples, bananas, pears, and legumes such as lentils, kidney beans and chick peas can help to lower your cholesterol which in turn increases healthy blood flow and reduces your risk or cardiovascular disease.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Thin the Blood

Adding fish such as wild salmon, albacore tuna, trout, oysters and anchovies to your weekly diet gives you essential omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to fish, avocados and nuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids. The healthy fat in omegs-3 helps to lower unhealthy fats called triglycerides in the blood, reduce blood pressure, thin the blood and reduce your risk of blood clots. Recommendations for fish are to eat two to three servings of fatty fish per week.

Garlic -A natural blood thinner that can improve blood flow to your limbs. Researchers gave healthy volunteers a daily dose of 600 milligrams of garlic supplements for seven days. Blood samples from the group showed that blood flow in their calf muscles improved significantly after taking garlic. This is particularly important for individuals with varicose veins or clots in their arteries. Whole garlic has similar benefits if you eat 2 to 4 grams of fresh, minced garlic cloves per day. If you are taking any medication, consult your doctor before using any natural remedy.


Oranges- High in vitamin C and considered to be a natural blood thinner and are said to strengthen capillary walls and prevent plaque build-up which leads to poor circulation.

Dark Chocolate- Cocoa contains flavonoids which is naturally found in plants and fruits and has been well linked to improving blood circulation. A study published in the Circulation Journal showed that dark chocolate rich in natural flavonoids improved blood circulation when compared with white chocolate with no flavonoids.

Cayenne pepper is available as a fresh pepper or dried spice and has been associated with increasing metabolic rate and strengthening arteries and blood vessels. Cayenne pepper is best eaten raw in salads or juiced.

Sunflower seeds- Rich in vitamin E which is shown to help keep blood clots from forming. They are great at helping improve circulation.

Watermelon- Rich in lycopene which is a natural antioxidant linked to improving circulation. Lycopene is a natural pigment which gives certain foods their reddish color. Tomatoes, pink grapefruit and apricots also contain lycopene.

If you suffer from poor circulation and cardiovascular disease and are under the care of a physician consult with your physician before implementing this diet.

Salud!

Extensive Holiday Travel Can Put You at Risk for Deep Vein Thrombosis

The holiday season is upon us and during the holidays many of us plan long distance trips to visit family and friends either by car or by plane that may require many hours of sitting.

Sitting on a plane or in a car for long periods of time can put you at risk for developing a serious blood clot known as a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). We even have a name for a DVT that occurs as a result of a lengthy flight, "Economy Class Syndrome".

The American Heart Association (AHA) estimates that one in 1,000 people develop DVT each year. A DVT is the development of a blood clot in the deep veins of the legs. When the circulation of the blood slows down due to inactivity, illness, or injury, blood can accumulate or "pool," which provides an ideal setting for clot formation. Blood clots in deep veins can grow in size, break loose, and then travel through the bloodstream to the lungs, resulting in a life-threatening pulmonary embolism.

Travelling on long trips, sitting at a desk all day or even being bed-ridden for a long period of time can cause blood clots to form. If you are a person who travels or sits a lot, we encourage you to be aware of these potential symptoms below and seek medical attention immediately.

• Generalized swelling of the affected leg
• Affected leg may be larger than the other leg
• Affected leg may feel warm and be redder than the other leg
• Pain or tenderness in the calf or thigh when it is touched or squeezed or with movement or      standing. Calf or thigh pain may become constant and increase with squeezing or movement.

Below are some helpful tips to help keep your blood circulating during your travels

• If travelling by car, stop every couple of hours and get out and walk around. If you're on a plane, try to get up and walk every 30-60 minutes, if possible.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine and other substances that may produce dehydration. Drink plenty of fluids – preferably water.
• While sitting on the plane or in the car, try to raise your toes and flex your calves. This motion causes your calf muscles to contract and promotes the flow of blood in the veins in the legs. This can help prevent blood from pooling and forming a clot.

If you know that you have risk factors for DVT, consider talking with your physician before travelling to discuss whether compression stockings for your legs are needed.

The holiday season is a wonderful time to visit your favorite people in far-away places. Enjoy yourself, but while enroute, be sure to perform the simple exercises listed above to keep your blood circulating and your leg veins healthy.

Wishing you a Happy and Healthy Holiday Season!

Does Crossing Your Legs Cause Varicose Veins?

Contrary to an old wives tale: a study in the journal Blood Pressure Monitoring determined that crossing your legs while sitting has no or little impact on whether you’ll develop varicose veins. Actually, sitting with legs or ankles crossed has no immediate effects on your health however, if you sit with your legs crossed for long periods of time without moving your legs or changing your position, it has been shown that blood pressure rises temporarily and additional stress is placed on your hip joints.

If you sit a lot or have a job that requires you to sit behind a desk for long periods of time and you develop tingles in your legs, the best thing to do is to take breaks and walk around the office. Tingles in your legs can be caused by the temporary restriction of blood flow so walking around will improve your blood circulation and wake up your muscles and get them working.

It is also recommended for those who sit for long periods of time do light exercises while sitting down. Below are a few exercises to try and they should be done several times a day to keep your blood flowing through your legs.

• Lift your feet off the ground and flex them up and down to enable fresh blood to flow through your legs
• Flex and release the muscles in your legs starting at your toes and working upwards
• Place a foot rest under your chair to keep your legs and feet elevated, this position helps with circulation
• Stand and stretch several times per day
• Massage your legs

As long as you keep moving your legs, blood will continue flowing through your veins to keep your legs healthy and reduce your risk for varicose veins.

If you do suffer from unsightly, painful varicose veins or spider veins, doctors at South Florida Vascular Associates  Dr. William Julien and Dr. Curtis Anderson, offer several minimally-invasive vein treatments to treat varicose veins and circulation problems, including endovenous laser ablation (EVLT), sclerotherapy, and phlebectomy.

“Movember”, No-Shave November - Raises Awareness for Men's Health Issues

November is Men’s Health Awareness Month also known as Movember. Movember is a campaign in which men can participate by growing a mustache or facial hair to arouse conversation and raise awareness of men’s health issues. As many men are not great at scheduling regular doctor visits, Movember is a time to encourage men to seek regular medical advice and early treatment for disease.

Movember supports men’s health issues such as depression, physical inactivity, prostate cancer, testicle cancer, and other medical conditions that are prevalent in men. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide and the number of cases is expected to almost double to 1.7 million cases by 2030.

Gender is one of the strongest predictors of health and life expectancy. For men, this is not good news. On average across the world, men die 6 years earlier than women. In addition, poor mental health affects men more than women, in fact three quarters of suicides are by men. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 510,000 men die from suicide globally each year. That’s one every minute.

The aim of this cause is to increase early detection of cancer as well as other male related illnesses. Early detection enables physicians to implement treatment plans that can potentially save lives. Besides annual check-ups, the Movember Foundation encourages men to be aware of family history and to adopt a healthier lifestyle.

If you’re not interested in growing facial hair, the Foundation's also hosts a "MOVE in Movember" challenge which encourages men and women too, to be physically active throughout November. Move in Movember is a great way for men who suffer from peripheral artery disease to be more active. Walking and bicycling are some of the best forms of activity to keep the blood flowing through your legs.

So here’s to all of the men out there… at South Florida Vascular Associates, we urge you take the time to think about your health and schedule annual doctor appointments; be aware of any family history of medical conditions that could potentially affect you, stay active, eat healthy, and live longer, healthier, lives.

Studies Show That Drinking 2 Cups of Beetroot Juice Daily Can Lower Your Risk of Peripheral Artery Disease

Did you know that beetroot juice is loaded with multiple essential vitamins and minerals and is one of the healthiest super-foods out there? Many people aren’t particularly fond of the taste of beetroot juice but there are so many health benefits to be derived from it and so many tasty recipes you can create with them that you must not miss out.  Beyond supplying the body with an array of nutrients, beetroot juice also has tangible positive effects on your energy levels, peripheral artery disease and cardiovascular health.

Beetroot juice is a natural multivitamin accompanied by a large amount of mineral content. It is loaded with high levels of vitamin C, folic acid, beta carotene (vitamin A) and vitamins B1, B2 and B3. Mineral wise, beetroot juice contains a long list of valuable nutrients: potassium, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, copper, selenium and iron. In addition, beetroot juice contains protein in the form of a complete set of amino acids.

Because of all of the natural nitrates contained in beetroot juice, it has the ability to increase stamina and lower blood pressure. The evidence of this finding comes from a British study from The London School of Medicine. The study determined that the nitrate levels in 500 milliliters of beetroot juice a day had a measurable effect on blood pressure reduction. The findings also showed that not only did the nitrates in the beetroot juice reduce blood pressure just few hours after ingestion, but the positive effects still registered a full day after ingestion.

The exact reasons behind how nitrates actually reduce blood pressure is still being studied, but researchers believe that the natural nitrites in beet juice may act as a blood vessel expander that improves circulation.

Beetroot juice has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system. The widening of blood vessels caused by nitrate ingestion not only improves circulation, but also decreases the risk of heart disease, hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and vascular disease. Studies show that by expanding the blood vessels, the nitrates in beetroot juice supply more blood and oxygen to the heart. Not only does beetroot juice dilate blood vessels to improve blood flow and lower blood pressure, it also reduces the amount of oxygen muscles need during physical activity. This muscle effect makes it much easier for people of all ages, no matter what their health condition is, to perform both low- and high-intensity physical activities. In fact, researchers noted that those who drank beet juice required 12 percent less effort to walk than those who did not drink it. Two cups of beetroot juice daily are recommended for increasing nitrate levels to a degree that's beneficial for the cardiovascular system.

While scientific interest in beetroot juice has only gained momentum in the past few decades, reports of its use as a natural medicine dates back to Roman times.  In fact, beetroot juice has been shown to lower inflammation, increase brain function and helps to supply more oxygen to the muscles of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to extend their time until exhaustion by 15 percent when exercising.

By no means is beetroot juice a replacement for the necessary medicines prescribed by your physician. It is a natural supplement that is showing to be very effective for many chronic illnesses but should not be expected to cure them on its own.

If you are interested in adding beetroot juice to your diet, it is available on the market:
Beet-It is highly concentrated so you may want to hold your nose and down a shot or two rather than a full glassful, making it a supplement rather than food. Unbeetable, developed at Wake Forest, is sweeter and slightly carbonated. Among the side effects of the juices are pink urine and stools, with a small fraction of people having beet allergies

Please enjoy trying these easy recipes for adding the benefits of beets and beetroot juice to your diet.

7 Delicious Nutritious Beetroot Juice Recipies

South Florida Vascular Associates Now Offers Minimally Invasive Treatment for Advanced Stage Metastatic Liver Cancer

South Florida Vascular Associates and Dr. Curtis Anderson are pleased to announce the availability of SIR-Spheres® microspheres to treat patients with metastatic liver cancer. SIR-Spheres microspheres are the only fully FDA PMA approved microspheres for colorectal cancer that has metastasized (cancer that has spread from a primary source) to the liver.

Our doctors are now offering this new minimally invasive treatment radioembolization, using yttrium 90 (Y90) beads for primary or metastatic liver cancer that can extend survival time and provides new hope to patients with liver tumors.

The procedure, performed in a hospital setting as an outpatient involves placing a catheter from an artery in the groin or arm into the artery supplying blood to the liver. Radioactive beads are then administered through the lobe of the liver into the tumor(s).

SIR-Spheres Y-90 Microspheres Carried By Blood Flow

The beads contain Y90, which is highly radioactive but only delivers high energy radiation less than ½ inch (1 cm) from where the beads are deposited. Therefore, tumors and surrounding liver tissue receive high doses of therapeutic radiation while nearby organs are spared.

Clinical studies have confirmed that patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with SIR-Spheres microspheres have response rates higher than with other forms of treatment, resulting in increased life expectancy, greater periods without tumor activity and improved quality of life. SIRT has been found to shrink liver tumors more than chemotherapy alone.

If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with metastatic liver cancer and your current treatment plan is not working for you, contact our office to schedule a consultation with one of our physicians to determine if you are a candidate for SIRT. We have 3 convenient office locations, Coconut Creek, Plantation and Boynton Beach for your convenience.