Medical warnings on respiratory and vascular health

Medical experts are highlighting the silent risks associated with respiratory and cardiovascular health, with a specific focus on carotid artery stenosis.

Initial warnings emphasized that respiratory symptoms such as persistent coughing and shortness of breath should not be dismissed as mere signs of aging, and noted the dangers of passive smoking. Simultaneously, specialists identified carotid artery stenosis—the narrowing of vessels carrying blood to the brain—as a condition that can progress without symptoms, increasing the risk of strokes.

Subsequent reports provided more specific clinical data regarding the link between carotid atherosclerosis and ischemic strokes. Medical professionals noted that approximately 15-20% of cerebral infarction cases are related to this condition. Data from Bạch Mai Hospital indicated that among patients with transient ischemic attacks or cerebral infarction, roughly 5.2% had significant stenosis in the artery corresponding to the damaged brain region.

Risk factors identified include hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, and advanced age, with men being 4-5 times more likely to be affected than women. Experts continue to recommend preventive screenings, such as carotid triplex ultrasound, to detect unstable plaque before it leads to a stroke.