A cardiac embolism is an obstruction that travels from the heart to lodge in the blood vessel. An embolus can either be built up of fatty material or can be a blood clot. Before everything else, let’s discuss what’s embolism is. Advance buildup of material in the vessel wall can block the blood vessels which is how plaque (atherosclerosis) creates blockages. An embolism is when plaque or another substance like a blood clot travels through the blood stream and becomes wedged in a blood vessel because of small diameter of the vessel. In atherosclerosis, buildup of plaques made of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls can restrict the blood flow through the arteries thus putting stress on the heart. Eventually, the plaque may rupture which can send materials traveling through the body that can lodge elsewhere, creating a clot which can cause serious problems anywhere in the body, especially when they form in the carotid arteries or in the left atrial appendage (LAA). Before furthering, read to know about the life-saving CPR classes.
If you are looking forward to signing up for an American Heart Association CPR class Nashville, make sure to choose a certified training center such as the AHA certified CPR Nashville in Tennessee. Get to learn the life-saving procedures that comprise chest compressions and rescue breaths. Proper application can revive the life of a victim involved in a cardiac emergency. The course fees vary for different programs as there are courses for healthcare providers as well as general public.
Carotid Artery Blockage- Blood vessels in the neck that carry oxygen-rich blood to the brain (the carotid arteries) can become blocked with plaque causing carotid artery blockage which is a serious condition as the blockages disrupts blood flow to the brain tissue or may encourage a blood clot that may embolize causing an ischemic stroke by cutting off total blood flow. Reduce the risk of stroke by quickly identifying and treating carotid artery disease.
Left Atrial Appendage Blood Clots- Blood sometimes accumulate in a portion of the ticker namely left atrial appendage in individuals with Atrial Fibrillation. The accumulated blood over a period of time can clot which if travels to the brain can give rise to ischemic stroke.
Treating Cardiac Embolism:
With cardiac embolism, the main objective is to prevent blood clot formation. Consult with a healthcare provider on the matter who may prescribe blood-thinner medications known as anticoagulants to individuals with risk for blood clots. If the blood clot risk is because of a specific condition like atrial fibrillation, medications may be prescribed to regulate the pace of heartbeat. There are medical procedures available to reduce the occurrence of AFib episodes if there is no improvement in condition with the medications or the side-effects have got unbearable. Some therapies include
Catheter Ablation- A healthcare provider, in this procedure, destroys small amounts of heart tissue that are sending the irregular electrical signals causing AFib.
Left atrial appendage closure- This procedure is minimally invasive which seals off LAA to prevent accumulation of blood, and perhaps clotting.
Last, but not the least electrical cardioversion where the ticker is treated with an electric shock to restore its normal sinus rhythm.
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