Strokes seem to come out of the blue. But most are from decades-long damage to blood vessels and growth of artery-clogging plaque.

July 25, 2015 July 25, 2015 Is there an early warning test for stroke? Strokes seem to come out of the blue. But most of them happen due to decades-long damage to blood vessels and growth of artery-clogging plaque. That raises the question: Is there an early warning test for stroke? Yes and no. A test called the carotid ultrasound can detect the buildup of cholesterol-filled plaque in the carotid arteries in the neck. These arteries deliver blood to the brain. The test, which uses sound waves, is quick, safe, and without any immediate potential for harm. It makes perfect sense for someone experiencing lightheadedness, memory loss, or the warning signs of a stroke or mini-stroke. Get your copy of Stroke Protect your brain: That’s the strategy that Harvard doctors recommend in this report on preventing and treating stroke. Whether you’ve already had a mini stroke, a major stroke, or have been warned that your high blood pressure might cause a future stroke, this report provides help and advice. Having a carotid ultrasound test also makes sense for anyone in whom a doctor hears an abnormal sound called a bruit (BREW-ee) as he or she listens to the carotid arteries through a stethoscope. The scan is also a reasonable idea when a person has known risk factors for stroke, such as a previous "mini-stroke," high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. But a carotid ultrasound isn't a good idea for otherwise healthy people at average risk for stroke. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force discourages routine ultrasounds of the carotid arteries. Only about 1% of the general population has significant narrowing of these arteries. And less than 10% of first-time strokes are associated with such narrowings. In addition, roughly eight in every 100 ultrasounds produce a false positive — a result that indicates the presence of significant narrowing that isn't really there. False positives lead to unnecessary tests and possibly unnecessary treatment. If you're wondering whether you should ask your doctor for such a test, or whether to have one as part of a community check-up at a church or community center, here are some questions you might want to consider: If the test finds something, what's next? If it doesn't, are you in the clear? For most people, a better approach would be to pay attention to fighting things that cause or contribute to the formation and growth of cholesterol-filled plaque — high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, not enough exercise, smoking, and the like. Getting those risk factors under control will go a long way to preventing stroke. For more information on ways to prevent and treat strokes, buy Stroke, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School. Share this story: Featured in this issue Stroke Featured content: • What is a stroke? • How strokes affect the brain • Medical problems that raise stroke risk • SPECIAL SECTION: Lifestyle changes to help prevent strokes • Diagnosing a stroke •  ... and more! Click here to read more » Harvard Medical School offers special reports on over 50 health topics. Visit our website at http://www.health.harvard.edu to find reports of interest to you and your family. PHONE ORDERS - please call our toll-free number: 1-877-649-9457. You are currently subscribed to HEALTHbeat as dr.samah.saied.ahmed@gmail.com. EDIT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION PROFILE UNSUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBE TO HEALTHbeat VIEW HEALTHbeat ARCHIVES Visit our website at: www.health.harvard.edu Email us at: healthbeat@health.harvard.edu FOLLOW US ON:  Facebook Twitter Copyright © 2015 by Harvard University. Harvard Health Publications, 10 Shattuck Street, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02115, USA * Please note, we do not provide responses to personal medical concerns, nor can we supply related medical information other than what is available in our print products or website. For specific, personalized medical advice we encourage you to contact your physician.