Stroke Awareness Month: How Vascular Health Impacts Stroke Prevention
May is Stroke Awareness Month, a time to educate our community on the risks, signs, and prevention of one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the U.S. While many associate strokes strictly with the brain, the truth is that vascular health plays a critical role in stroke prevention — and at Premier Surgical Vascular & Vein Center in Knoxville, TN, we specialize in treating conditions like carotid artery disease that increase your risk of stroke.
The Vascular Connection to Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either by a blockage (ischemic stroke) or bleeding (hemorrhagic stroke). The majority of strokes — nearly 87% — are ischemic and are often caused by plaque buildup in the arteries, which can limit or block blood flow to the brain. A major vascular condition tied to stroke risk is carotid artery disease, where plaque narrows or blocks the arteries that supply blood to the neck and brain.
Our Premier Vascular surgeons offer treatments like Carotid Endarterectomy and TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) to treat carotid artery disease and dramatically reduce the risk of stroke.
Carotid Endartectomy is a procedure to remove plaque build-up and improve blood flow to the brain. The Vascular Surgeon makes an incision on your neck to open the artery to remove the plaque clogging the artery. The surgeon creates a temporary bypass to allow blood to flow around the area while they work.
TransCarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) is a newer procedure that uses a reversed flow of blood to keep plaque from traveling to the brain during the procedure. A stent is then placed to stabilize the artery and prevent future blockages.
TCAR offers several benefits:
- Reduced stroke risk during and after the procedure
- Shorter recovery time
- Lower risk of cranial nerve injury
- Ideal for high-risk surgical patients
Prevention Starts with Awareness
This Stroke Awareness Month, we encourage you to:
- Know your risk factors — including high blood pressure, smoking, high cholesterol, and vascular disease
- Stay active and eat heart-healthy foods
- Get screened if you’re at risk for carotid artery disease
- Talk to your doctor about vascular evaluations if you experience dizziness, vision changes, or mini-strokes (TIAs)
At Premier Surgical Vascular & Vein Center, our Vascular Surgeons are proud to offer advanced, lifesaving vascular procedures right here in Knoxville. Whether it’s through TCAR, or routine vascular screenings, we are committed to helping you reduce your risk of stroke and live a longer, healthier life.