The Carotid arteries are the arteries in your neck that supply the head and brain with blood. Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS) is a procedure in which Dr. Khalid Shafiq inserts a slender, expanding tube, called a stent inside your artery to increase blood flow in areas blocked by plaque.
How do blockages’ in your Carotid Arteries Occur?
The blockages occur due to deposition of plaque or by hardening of the arteries, a process called atherosclerosis. When this blockage occurs in your carotid arteries, it is called Carotid Artery Stenosis. This hardening can cause build up of plaque that can eventually cause decreased blood flow through the arteries. Sometimes these pieces of the plaque can break free and block arteries in the brain. If this occurs your risk of stroke is greatly increased.
What are the symptoms of reduced blood flow through the Carotids?
Symptoms of decreased blood flow include-dizziness, weakness. Slurred speech, periodic loss of sight in one or both eyes and numbness.
How can you treat Carotid Artery Stenosis?
Treatment for this condition depends upon your symptoms, the amount of blockages and any underlying medical problems you may have. Dr. Khalid Shafiq can determine at that point if you are a candidate for CAS procedure. FDA approves Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS) and Khalid Shafiq M.D performs this procedure at Paris Regional Medical Center.
Patients who are not candidates for CAS procedure include, patients who have had bleeding in the brain in the last two months or have complete blockage of the Carotid Arteries.
How do I prepare for Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS) procedure?
Dr. Khalid Shafiq and his nursing staff will give you specific instructions on things to do before the procedure. It usually includes taking medication that prevents clots 3 to 5 days before the procedure along with some tests to get as much information as possible about the blockages in your Carotid arteries including a Carotid CT angiogram performed at Paris Cardiology Center.
What can I expect during the Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS) procedure?
Dr. Khalid Shafiq performs this procedure in the Cardiac Cath Lab at PRMC. The CAS procedure usually lasts around 1 to 2 hours. Dr. Shafiq starts by inserting a catheter into an artery in your groin area. Through this catheter he will use dye and X-ray to look at the actual blockages. After that, he will use either a balloon or a stent to open the blockage.
What can I expect after (CAS) Procedure?
You will stay overnight at the Hospital. Bruising and mild tenderness at the puncture site are common. You will be asked to engage in light activities for several days after you leave the hospital. You will be put on blood thinners to keep clots from forming. Dr. Shafiq at Paris Cardiology Center will follow up with you through periodic examinations and Carotid Ultrasounds to make sure that your stent stays open.
Are there any complications of (CAS) procedure?
The chances of complications through Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS) procedure are very small. However complications include Kidney damage and bleeding from the puncture site or in a rare case scenario blockage by a clot or debris in one of the arteries in the brain can cause serious complications after CAS procedure since it can result in a stroke.
What can I do to prevent blockages or keep them from getting worse?
Dr. Shafiq gives the following recommendations:
Click the link below to see a diagram and better understand the procedure.
Carotid Artery Stenting (CAS) Procedure
Ayesha Shafiq, Director of Paris Cardiology Center.
Wife of Khalid Shafiq M.D. and mother of their 2 children. Director of Paris Cardiology Center for 11 years.Masters in International Relations. Runs management with the help of 22 employees
Come next fall, Paris Regional Medical Center will be sporting a much different look. But the Northward Bound Project is about more than just cosmetics.
“The move north has been in the works for quite some time and it makes sense for the Paris community to have all services at one location,” said Panissa Dor, PRMC director of marketing. “The ease of having duplicated services at one location will make the flow easier on staff, physicians and the community.”
Initially, Northward Bound was budgeted as a $15 million project. Then in January, parent company RegionalCare Hospital Partners announced an additional $5 million to $7 million for the effort. Concrete has been laid for the second story.
‘We are confident that this expansion and consolidation will allow for easier access to care for patients and a better environment to provide care for physicians and hospital employees,” Chief Executive Officer Bill Porter said.
At first, the Northward Bound Project included:
The additional scope includes:
“South campus will still be active,” Dor said. “Several offices and departments will still remain over on the south campus.”
To follow the progress of the Northward Bound Project visit www.prmcnorthwardbound.com and view the live webcam and updates.
Heart disease (also called cardiovascular disease) is a simple term that can describe several problems related to conditions within the heart. One problem is atherosclerosis (which is plaque buildup in the walls of the arteries). Other types include arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), cardiac arrest (a sudden loss of heart function that strikes without warning), heart attack, (a sudden onset of chest pain that results in a loss of oxygen to the heart muscle causing heart damage), heart failure- (when your heart isn’t strong enough to pump enough blood or fluid builds up around the heart making it hard to pump), Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) (may be diagnosed when the blood vessels of your legs, arms or torso are narrowed by plaque). High blood pressure can damage and scar your arteries if untreated, strokes can occur when a blood vessel either bursts or is blocked and high cholesterol and diabetes both put you at a high risk for heart disease.
The key to preventing cardiovascular disease is managing your risk factors. The best way to find out which risk factors you have is through screening tests during regular doctor visits. For many patients, screening results can serve as a wake-up call. Risk factors detected early can be treated with life style changes and medications, if appropriate, before these problems lead to the development of cardiovascular disease. Here are the key screening tests recommended for optimal cardiovascular health and their recommended numbers. Blood Pressure- should be around 120/80. Cholesterol should be below 200(the lower the better). HDL (good cholesterol) should be less than 40 (men), or 50 (women), and Triglycerides less than 150. Body weight or Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference should not be over 35, blood glucose (sugar) should be between 70-100. You should not smoke, be involved in physical activity, and eat a healthy diet.
Again, replacing bad habits with good habits is the most helpful. In time this will get your “numbers” in line where they need to be. Follow these guidelines: 1. Break big goals into smaller short-term goals. 2. Tell someone you trust what you are trying to accomplish so they can offer support when needed. 3. Chart your numbers as you go so that you can “see” your results. 4. Try replacing bad habits with good ones (example: instead of setting and watching TV, go for a walk). 5. Stop smoking. 6. Take medications faithfully.
Keep at it. Your greatest wealth is your health.
If you would like more information on this topic call me, Alice Barlow RN, alternate administrator for Platinum Home Health, INC. in Paris, TX at 903-739-8070.
Paris, Tx.- Physical Therapy Clinic of Paris introduced the all new ALTER G Anti Gravity Treadmill, to an impressed crowd of medical professionals and athletes at open house last week in the clinic. The treadmill is a one of a kind and is the only east of the metroplex in Texas.
A patient or athlete enters the machine like a normal treadmill, is sealed from the waist down in a special chamber. It then fills with air and adjusts to reduce the subjects weight to any fraction down to 20% of their mass, allowing for easier rehabilitation creating less stress on knees and ankles. “It’s nearly like walking on the moon” said Chris Carter Physical Therapist for PTCOP. “It’s incredible what it has allowed our patients to experience. The ALTER G is wonderful for athletes, those suffering from knee and hip ailments, overweight patients, and seniors. “ The ALTER G’s predecessor was designed for NASA to help train astronauts and is still in use today.
The ALTER G Anti Gravity Treadmill is available for public use to exercise. Quinn said anyone can purchase time on the ALTER G for a nominal fee. Those interested in the ALTER G should call 903-785-3861 to schedule time or to receive a demonstration of it. Physical Therapy Clinic of Paris is located at 2875 Lewis Ln in Paris.
Rachel Young, a newly certified Jazzercise instructor, has begun offering classes in Paris at Jazzercise Paris Fitness Center, located at 2750 East Price. Young earned the right to teach Jazzercise by completing an intense three-day workshop and performing a letter-perfect audition. Becoming a Jazzercise instructor requires dedication and thorough training. After submitting adequate references and putting in long hours of practice, Young recently participated in a rigorous workshop in Dallas, sponsored by the Franchise Programs and Services Department of Jazzercise, Inc. She was required to learn approximately 15 Jazzercise routines for her audition; pass a written exam on basic anatomy, exercise physiology and nutrition; learn Jazzercise business practices; and become certified to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). She will be teaching two of the 38 classes offered a week at Jazzercise Paris Fitness Center.
Jazzercise combines effective exercise with jazz dance-based choreography and popular music. Each 60-minute high-energy class includes a warm up, aerobic segment, muscle toning and flexibility exercises, and a cool-down. Fresh choreography is continually introduced into the program as Jazzercise founder Judi Sheppard Missett creates new routines every ten weeks. The non-competitive atmosphere makes it easy for people of all fitness levels to participate. Instructors demonstrate both challenging movements and low-impact variations. Most importantly, Jazzercise classes are designed to be fun!
Jazzercise Paris Fintess Center offers classes in several alternative formats, including Jazzercise Low Impact, Jazzercise Body Sculpting, Jazzercise Personal Touch, Express, and Junior Jazzercise.
About Jazzercise
Judi Sheppard Missett, who turned her love of jazz dance into a worldwide dance exercise phenomenon, founded the Jazzercise dance fitness program in 1969. She has advanced the business opportunities of women and men in the fitness industry by growing her program into an international franchise business that today, hosts a network of 7,500 instructors teaching more than 32,000 classes weekly in 32 countries.
The workout program, which offers a fusion of jazz dance, resistance training, Pilates, yoga, and kickboxing movements, has positively affected millions of people worldwide. Benefits include increased cardiovascular endurance, strength, and flexibility, as well as an overall “feel good” factor. For more information on Jazzercise, contact Jazzercise Paris Fitness Center at (903) 737-8679. For worldwide class information, go to jazzercise.com or call (800)FIT-IS-IT.
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