Why Those with HCV Must Know About Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis
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Although hepatitis literally translates to inflammation of the liver, increasing research into the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has revealed that its reach extends well beyond the liver. Posing a real concern to those with this disease, a relatively new study presents evidence that infection with HCV is associated with atherosclerosis of the carotid arteries. Since a clear connection between these two conditions has been drawn, those with HCV must be aware of the warning signs of carotid artery atherosclerosis.
About Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis
In the front part of the neck, the carotid arteries carry blood from the heart to the brain. Known as atherosclerosis, deposits of fat and/or plaque can clog up these arteries. When a carotid artery is blocked, blood has a harder time reaching the brain. A potentially devastating event, a stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to any part of the brain.
Stroke and TIA
Because narrowing of the carotid arteries is a leading cause of stroke, those who demonstrate a propensity for this problem are encouraged to take early action.
- An estimated 75 percent of people who have a stroke from carotid artery atherosclerosis also have a transient ischemic attack (TIA) at some point prior to the stroke.
- TIA is a temporary neurologic deficit that lasts less than 24 hours – usually 1 to 2 hours.
TIA symptoms typically include:
- Sudden weakness, numbness or paralysis in the face, arm or leg, typically on one side of the body.
- Slurred or garbled speech or difficulty understanding others.
- Sudden blindness in one eye.
TIAs are the most recognizable warning signs of an impending stroke.
HCV and Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis
Over the past decade, practitioners have recognized that those living with Hepatitis C are more vulnerable to certain ailments than those without the virus. Atherosclerosis is one such problem. Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, seems to be enabled by HCV. More specifically, there is evidence suggesting that HCV infection may promote atherosclerosis in the carotid arteries.
As published in the January 2010 edition of the Journal of Clinical Virology, an Italian study evaluated patients with HCV infection and chronic ischemic heart disease (in which the heart is deprived of oxygen due to atherosclerosis). The researchers actually found Hepatitis C genetic material in carotid artery plaques. This finding suggests that either:
- HCV promotes the accumulation of carotid artery plaques, or
- an active Hepatitis C infection occurs in atherosclerotic carotid arteries.
Although the exact relationship is not yet known, the authors of this Italian study concluded, “The novel finding of HCV RNA sequences in plaque tissue strongly suggests an active local infection. This in turn makes it conceivable that the virus may exert local action in carotid atherosclerosis.”
More research on carotid artery atherosclerosis and Hepatitis C is sure to follow. In the meantime, those with HCV are advised to be aware of the connection between these conditions and know how to determine if they’ve had a TIA, a sign of a potential carotid artery problem. In addition, knowing about the relationship between Hepatitis C and carotid artery atherosclerosis can urge those with the virus to take preemptive steps to prevent deposits of fat and/or plaque from clogging their arteries.
References:
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hep_c/news/2010/011510_a.html, HCV Found in Carotid Atherosclerosis Plaques of Chronic Hepatitis C Patients, Liz Highleyman, Retrieved January 23, 2010, hivandhepatitis.com.
http://www.journalofclinicalvirology.com/article/S1386-6532%2809%2900495-8/abstract, Hepatitis C virus RNA localization in human carotid plaques, Maria Boddi, et al, Retrieved January 23, 2010, Journal of Clinical Virology, January 2010.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/carotid-artery-disease/, Carotid Artery Disease, Retrieved January 23, 2010, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2010.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18957787, Hepatitis C infection is associated with increased coronary artery atherosclerosis defined by modified Reardon severity score system, Alyan O, et al, Retrieved January 23, 2010, Circulation Journal, December 2008.
