Issue link: https://blog.providence.org/i/1546192
5 High blood pressure, cont. You can check your blood pressure at your doctor's office, health fairs, home with an automatic blood pressure machine or some pharmacies and supermarkets. Have your blood pressure checked at least once a year, or more often if you have a history of high blood pressure, have had a heart attack or a stroke, are diabetic, have kidney disease, have high cholesterol or are overweight. If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend changes in your diet, regular exercise and/or medicines you can take to control it. Carotid artery disease Carotid artery disease is the narrowing of the carotid arteries, the two main blood vessels in the neck that supply blood to the brain. The carotid arteries can become narrowed from a build-up of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the artery wall that reduces blood flow to the brain and increases the risk for stroke. You can be tested for this problem by your doctor, who can listen to your arteries like they listen to your heart or look at pictures of your arteries with the help of medical equipment. Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medicine, surgery or a procedure called "stenting." Atrial fibrillation (AFib) AFib is a type of irregular heartbeat. It is caused when the two upper chambers of the heart (atria) beat unpredictably and sometimes rapidly. Often, AFib has no obvious symptoms. Some people will describe a fluttering, racing or pounding sensation in their chest. Others may experience episodes of dizziness, fainting or light headedness. When you have AFib, blood pools in the atria of the heart and clots. These clots may then be carried to the brain, causing a stroke. A person with AFib is five times more likely to have a stroke. AFib can be successfully managed with medication or the use of electrical stimulation (a procedure called "cardioversion"). If you have AFib, work with your doctor to manage it and reduce your risk for stroke. Patent foramen ovale (PFO) A patent foramen ovale is an abnormal hole between the upper chambers (atria) of the heart. When left open, it allows blood to leak from the right to the left side of the heart. This can allow blood clots, gas bubbles or other particles that would normally be filtered out by the lungs to travel through the PFO and potentially to the brain, causing a stroke. Specialized testing is used to detect a PFO, and the majority of PFOs require no treatment. If you've been diagnosed with a PFO, work with your doctor to determine your risk factors and possible treatment options.